1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
some half-wit had left the gate open, and all the sheep had gotten loose
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person
even a half-wit knows that ice cream melts if it's not in the freezer
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Recent Examples of half-wit
If one president can pardon his half-brother, then another president can pardon his half-wit son.
—
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 8 June 2024
Aerial mishaps and half-wit actors turn a fantasy classic into a farce.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023
Beau’s brother, Peanut (Kevin Cahoon), a fraction of a half-wit, fires off bullet lists of random jokes for no apparent reason.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2023
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 8 June 2024
Aerial mishaps and half-wit actors turn a fantasy classic into a farce.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023
Beau’s brother, Peanut (Kevin Cahoon), a fraction of a half-wit, fires off bullet lists of random jokes for no apparent reason.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for half-wit
Noun
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Historically, betting against bigs who can pass is a fool’s errand.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Here’s the deal: Chasing quick wins is a fool’s errand.—
Jonathan Wagner,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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An underrated gem — not enough people have seen this top-tier season — Squirrels Trip has some fabulous vocals, very funny lyrics, a heavy dose of stupid, and an engaging story.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
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The stupid!—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 July 2021
Noun
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Players lead the minotaur on goose chases into traps, set up ambushes with exploding gas jars from another part of the dungeon, or even convince the factions inside the dungeon to join them in an all-out battle against it with overwhelming numbers.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Best Deal: Quince Luxe Goose Down Pillow Luxe Goose Down Pillow $313 $120 Quince Pillow reviewer: Katherine McLaughlin, digital features editor Materials and firmness: The pillow is filled with white goose down and has a 100% cotton sateen shell.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Half-wit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-wit. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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