as in sucker
one who is easily deceived or cheated
an Internet newbie who's the perfect patsy for a cyber scam
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patsy
Appalachian State, which has given fits to many power conference opponents since elevating to the FBS in 2014 – and even before then as Michigan fans will recall – is not some patsy that will take its $1.25 million and quietly go home to Boone, N.C.
—
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
Getting rid of Notre Dame from football schedule to play a patsy?
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2024
The Denver corporate lawyer’s nearly two years at the EPA were marked by high-level resignations, a shoot-from-the-hip style and accusations the nation’s top environmental official was a willing patsy for polluters.
—Dan Morrison, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
Ernest, played by an actor with over three decades of sympathy behind him, ultimately reads like a patsy rather than an originator of cruelty.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patsy 
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
Getting rid of Notre Dame from football schedule to play a patsy?
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2024
The Denver corporate lawyer’s nearly two years at the EPA were marked by high-level resignations, a shoot-from-the-hip style and accusations the nation’s top environmental official was a willing patsy for polluters.
—Dan Morrison, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
Ernest, played by an actor with over three decades of sympathy behind him, ultimately reads like a patsy rather than an originator of cruelty.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patsy
Noun
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More great reads Column: Super Bowl sucker no more.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
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Another place where suckers may pop up is below the bud union on the tree, where the citrus variety was grafted onto the rootstock.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There was a young woman who dressed as a Boston Marathon bombing victim for Halloween.—
Kelsey McKinney,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2025
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In January, they were spotted together visiting the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena, Calif., to help distribute food and supplies to victims of the Eaton Fire.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool when building a resume.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, China has condemned Western efforts to restrict access to AI tools.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Who think that kindness, tolerance and sacrifice aren’t strictly for chumps.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
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Precedents are for chumps: Both think conventional, polite, rule-following CEOs and leaders are suckers and conformists.—
Axios,
Axios,
13 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near patsy
Cite this Entry
“Patsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patsy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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