cuckoo 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cuckoonext
as in mad
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment offered a completely cuckoo suggestion for using the defunct strip mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cuckoo

2 of 2

noun

ˈkü-(ˌ)kü How to pronounce cuckoo (audio)
1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment one cuckoo at the campground tried to boil soup in a plastic cup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in goose
a silly flighty person didn't want to be among those cuckoos who race around the mall the day before Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cuckoo
Adjective
In the Disney film, Geppetto is a maker of toys and cuckoo clocks living in a vaguely European half-timber house. — Perri Klass, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2022 In the midst of such cuckoo-ness, my son, Isaac, and daughter-in-law, Lennon, had the courage to bring a child into this world. — New York Times, 15 Mar. 2022
Noun
There in Bauhus’s office, a cuckoo springs out of the little house on the wall—that sleek, modern clock, missing the detail of tradition but still gesturing at something. — Kendra Atleework, Longreads, 12 Mar. 2026 Under the current Gateway plan, those repairs don’t happen until 2040, which is cuckoo, especially if imminent failure is feared. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cuckoo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuckoo
  1. mad
  2. lunatic
  3. goose
  4. foolish
  5. fool
  6. silly
  7. stupid
  8. maniac
Adjective
  • Alec Hammond, my production designer, is just a mad scientist.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • Fortunately, Alec Hammond, the production designer, is a is a mad scientist.
    — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of mad
Noun
  • While sane Americans were celebrating the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, the lunatics in Portland, Oregon were cheering along as two men made out on a baseball field during a 'Heated Rivalry' theme night.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026
  • As a Spurs fan, I was particularly invested in Campbell in an England shirt and recall charging around the living room like a lunatic before the reality that it had been chalked off hit home.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 18 June 2026
Definition of lunatic
Noun
  • Taylor Sheridan is Paramount's golden goose right now, creating the ultra-popular Yellowstone franchise along with a passel of other shows.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026
  • They were provided by a speedy and adventurous black squirrel, who spent the better part of an inning on and around the playing field and at one point led an army of ground crew members on a wild goose — uh, squirrel — chase in right field.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of goose
Adjective
  • Drawing definitive conclusions from pre-season is foolish — but Lacey has shown his close control, pace, and scored an excellent goal in the previous friendly against Rosenborg.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Johnson continued this week to push for his foolish and counterproductive desire to impose a $33-per-month tax on each Chicago job generated by the city’s largest private-sector employers.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of foolish
Noun
  • There was simply no reason to try to match that; and Bogaerts would have been a fool not to accept it.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • And coming back with a movie that has anywhere near the impact of No Way Home’s untoppable uniting of Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Holland would seem a fool’s errand.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 July 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • The glamorous Emmy winner known for Loewe red-carpet looks and starring on prestige dramedy The Bear is returning to full-bore silly in order to play America’s favorite beagle.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • It was shot in portrait because it was shot in Instagram by and for a woman who was losing her mind in quarantine and had fully let the sillies take the wheel.
    — Ego Nwodim, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • The case that American leadership in this technology carries a genuine security dimension has never looked stupid to me.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The women are in stupid costumes (Heather Gay is dressed as a leprechaun at one point) and yelling at one another for yet-unknown reasons.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of stupid
Noun
  • Unbeknownst to the visitors, there’s an unhappy fifth party already in the house… and more than one homicidal maniac even within that small populace.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 July 2026
  • The odd thing about this choice is that, although the DSA’s platform is indeed chock-full of maniacal proposals, on this particular idea, the maniacs have a point.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
Definition of maniac

Browse Nearby Words

cubs
cuckoo
cuckoo clock
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Cite this Entry

“Cuckoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuckoo. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cuckoo

Nglish: Translation of cuckoo for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cuckoo

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