simpleton

sim·ple·ton | \ ˈsim-pəl-tən

How to pronounce simpleton (audio)

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Definition of simpleton

: a person lacking in common sense

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Examples of simpleton in a Sentence

The instructions were so complicated I felt like a complete simpleton. his silly antics at office parties have earned him a reputation as a simpleton

Recent Examples on the Web The tale is bookended by the 15-year-old Kafka and the elderly Nakata, a simpleton who communicates with cats. — Debra Kamin, Condé Nast Traveler, "8 Transportive Novels That Will Take You Around the World," 18 Mar. 2020 Todd was always an only-half-knowable grotesque, one of those Jim Thompson-y fellas who could be a lucky simpleton or an evil genius. — Darren Franich, EW.com, "El Camino is the Breaking Bad finale for everyone who thought Jesse got a raw deal," 11 Oct. 2019 In the latter, good generally wins out, however messily: Dragons get slain, witches are shoved into ovens, simpletons land fortunes, and so on. — Bruce Handy, The Atlantic, "The Peanuts Characters Aren’t Ordinary Kids," 29 Aug. 2019 Even petting a dog, resting in bed or stopping to smell the flowers seems to test the skills of Torabi’s inexperienced simpletons. — David Pagel, Los Angeles Times, "In her paintings, the glorious awkwardness of men failing to have fun," 29 July 2019 What's notable here is the start of Nate and Jenny's endless courtship (who doesn't root for two good-hearted simpletons?) and the touching, poignant conversation between Allison and Rufus. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, "Every Single Episode of Gossip Girl, Ranked," 19 Sep. 2018 The benefit of buying dirt-cheap goods from China is a comparative-advantage argument that even we economic simpletons can grasp. — WSJ, "Boosting Industry Isn’t Trump’s Sole Trade Goal," 11 July 2018 Tilson Thomas did, however, end with the final version’s forest scene, in which the violent crowd sides with an imposter claiming to be Dimitri, and the last word is given to the simpleton prophesizing a future of sorrow for the Russian people. — Mark Swed, latimes.com, "Searching for Russia's soul, then and now, in 'Boris Godunov'," 19 June 2018 The door burst open and the basement filled with the sound of simpleton strumming as a herd of people tried to squeeze their way through the narrow frame. — Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award runner-up: "Am I Not Your Animal" by Matt Jones," 2 June 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near simpleton

simple syllogism

Statistics for simpleton

Last Updated

3 Apr 2020

Cite this Entry

“Simpleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simpleton. Accessed 26 May. 2020.

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