1
as in lunatics
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
don't be a nitwit—wear a seat belt!
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in morons
a stupid person
an absolute nitwit as far as geography is concerned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fools
a silly flighty person
a nitwit who never should have been given a position of responsibility in the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nitwits
In each show, the two nitwits would set out on some caper, which would inevitably go horribly wrong, leaving them broke, or tied up, or in jail, or hanging over a cliff, or some other situation of great peril.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nitwits
Noun
-
Secretary of State Marco Rubio wasn’t far behind, saying the war is being waged against religious lunatics.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The danger is in doing nothing as theocratic lunatics continue to weaponize with atomic bombs and modern missile delivery systems.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There are complicated brain-chemistry factors involved that have to do with testosterone, and dopaminergic systems, and kappa-opioid receptors, all of which seem to add up to a Jim Gaffigan joke about how men are morons compared with their wives.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
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The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As Rose’s impoverished yet imperious mother Ruth, Parson’s dry deliveries offer great comic ballast to this ship of fools.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
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McGinn sets high standards in training and during games and does not suffer fools.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was no overpowering onion, which drives me nuts in potato salad.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Apr. 2026
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Everything is coated in a garlic butter salt that masks the mediocrity of the nuts.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Doesn’t matter to all the freakin’ idiots who dress up like Santa.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Payment processors aren’t idiots, and a huge number of new charges was likely to arouse suspicion.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Do not feed ducks, geese, other waterfowl, turtles or fish in areas where alligators have been seen.—
Mark Price
April 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
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Authorities report that the affected flock, comprising dozens of chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys, is located in Pierce County.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Canada geese are protected, as well as most other geese, swans, ducks, cranes, cuckoos, hummingbirds, doves and flamingos.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
27 Jan. 2026
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Brood parasites such as cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, tricking the hosts into caring for their offspring at the expense of their own.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nitwits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nitwits. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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