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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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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Unfortunately, building massive scale factories here in the US to replace overseas production would be a fool’s errand.—
Robert C. Wolcott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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After a brief fool’s spring, New York City plunged once again into a cold snap.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
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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
Noun
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Costs nothing, gooses ratings, good TV. Mark Cuban @mcuban.bsky.social · 5h File your taxes using IRS Direct File, a free, secure, accurate and accessible product from the IRS.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
31 Mar. 2025
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Not anymore, not since the cost of eggs has soared beyond the price of the golden ones that a certain goose once laid.—
Lincoln Anderson,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Half-wit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-wit. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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