1
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
the captain finally had to deal with the cretin in the back of the plane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in moron
a stupid person
in discussions anyone who disagrees with her is inevitably called a cretin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cretin
But the good things Huff did 10 years ago don’t give him a lifetime pass to be a cretin.
—
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2020
There are the buck-passers, cretins who are content to simply stand up, find another table, and pass their misfortune on to some other unsuspecting soul.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appétit, 26 Aug. 2019
Law's take on the royal cretin Vortigern ranges from very evil to very, very evil.
—John Serba | Jserba@mlive.com, NOLA.com, 12 May 2017
The problem, of course, is a small minority of cretins who are destructive just for the sake of being destructive, without any regard for the environment or any consideration for others who deserve to see our natural areas without blemish.
—Steve Lipsher, The Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2017
See All Example Sentences for cretin
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2020
There are the buck-passers, cretins who are content to simply stand up, find another table, and pass their misfortune on to some other unsuspecting soul.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appétit, 26 Aug. 2019
Law's take on the royal cretin Vortigern ranges from very evil to very, very evil.
—John Serba | Jserba@mlive.com, NOLA.com, 12 May 2017
The problem, of course, is a small minority of cretins who are destructive just for the sake of being destructive, without any regard for the environment or any consideration for others who deserve to see our natural areas without blemish.
—Steve Lipsher, The Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2017
See All Example Sentences for cretin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cretin
Noun
-
Choosing to send only one hero per call will also substantially reduce the likelihood of succeeding — if the morons even stand for it.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Only a moron would cut the funding of an industry that actually brings revenue into the government’s pocket.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Dig into Caribbean jerk chicken pizza at Blackstone Pub downtown or savor a few slices topped with spicy meatballs and peppadews served with a waterfront view at Little Bridge Marina’s Pizza Kitchen.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Gave the two jerks her very best.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This guy might be single-handedly responsible for generations of people having an irrational fear of clowns.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Unlike past attempts at fictionalizing his life, Macmanus barely touches on the fact that Gacy had a hobby of dressing up like a clown, and doesn’t show any actual murders in the series.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
So, the parallel thing that I’ve been frustrated by recently is not just calling Trump stupid, but calling Trump voters stupid.—
Drew Broussard
May 22,
Literary Hub,
22 May 2025
-
Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Your mood and approach will have a big impact on your dog’s behavior.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The dog, who was unhurt, was reunited with its owners.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The player’s winning cards were a 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen and a joker acting as a king — all in clubs.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
24 Sep. 2025
-
If Payton doesn’t start shoving this offense through it, the joker’s on Broncos Country.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rodents, possums, and skunks show up to snack on the flesh and seeds.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
While striped skunk is edible, Coalition Brewing warns against its strong odor, scavenger diet and susceptibility to parasites.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cretin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cretin. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share