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crackpot

noun
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crack·​pot | \ ˈkrak-ˌpät How to pronounce crackpot (audio) \

Definition of crackpot

: one given to eccentric or lunatic notions
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Other Words from crackpot

crackpot adjective

Examples of crackpot in a Sentence

Some crackpot in a clown suit is out there directing traffic. everyone is tolerant of the town crackpot, a man who never hurt anyone
Recent Examples on the Web Ars: Conversely, Galileo's example has been twisted by various cranks and crackpots into the exact opposite of what Galileo stood for. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "We now have more evidence that Galileo likely never said “And yet it moves”," 17 May 2020 They were organized by the same crackpot who held press conferences last November to claim that former Gov. Matt Bevin had the election stolen from him. — Joseph Gerth, The Courier-Journal, "Gerth: Dumb protesters in Frankfort don't care if you die, you're messing with their money," 16 Apr. 2020 But if this documentary celebrates a crackpot, Mr. Friedkin is his match. — Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, "Review: In ‘The Devil and Father Amorth,’ a Filmmaker Gets Real," 19 Apr. 2018 He's seen a flurry of reaction to his plans, with detractors labeling him a crackpot for planning the launch in a homemade contraption and his belief that the world is flat. — Pat Graham, Michael Balsamo, Popular Mechanics, "Flat Earth Rocket Man Finally Did It," 25 Mar. 2018 But the scientists involved in the project considered them crackpots and doggedly tried to negate the idea of flying saucers. — Meghan Bartels, Newsweek, "What UFO 'Encounters' Can Tell Us About Fake News and Climate Change Denial," 1 Mar. 2018 Irving is perceived as a crackpot, or maybe just a goofball. — Nathaniel Friedman, GQ, "It’s Kyrie Irving’s World Now," 17 Jan. 2018 Statements to the contrary, official-sounding people cautioned, were probably the musings of crackpots in tinfoil hats. — Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, "The government admits it studies UFOs. So about those Area 51 conspiracy theories …," 18 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crackpot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of crackpot

1883, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for crackpot

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The first known use of crackpot was in 1883

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Statistics for crackpot

Last Updated

26 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Crackpot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackpot. Accessed 5 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for crackpot

crackpot

noun
How to pronounce crackpot (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of crackpot

informal : a person who is crazy or very strange

See the full definition for crackpot in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on crackpot

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for crackpot

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with crackpot

Spanish Central: Translation of crackpot

Nglish: Translation of crackpot for Spanish Speakers

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