patsy

noun

pat·​sy ˈpat-sē How to pronounce patsy (audio)
plural patsies
: a person who is easily manipulated or victimized : pushover

Examples of patsy in a Sentence

They treated us like a bunch of patsies. an Internet newbie who's the perfect patsy for a cyber scam
Recent Examples on the Web Anyone familiar with this kind of setup knows that simple offers are inevitably anything but, and rarely turn out to be worth the money — that is, assuming the poor patsy ever sees the money. Catherine Bray, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for patsy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patsy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Italian pazzo fool

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patsy was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near patsy

Cite this Entry

“Patsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patsy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!