cuckoo 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cuckoonext
as in foolish
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. foolish
  2. lunatic
  3. goose
  4. stupid
  5. fool
  6. silly
  7. mad
  8. maniac
Adjective
  • Soaking the suburbs over parking is reminiscent of other foolish, revenue-grabbing ideas, such as a congestion tax aimed at outsiders as a way to gin up money to cover Chicago’s ever-present budget black hole.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • With Oracle having lost more than $20 billion in stock-market value today, this appears to be penny-wise and pound foolish.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of foolish
Noun
  • The show will serve as a platform for countless lunatics within the InfoWars universe and a platform for larger announcements about the company’s fictional exploits.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Rabin was killed [in 1995], that was a last straw —seeing an extremist right-wing lunatic in Israel kill Rabin and kill the dreams of peace.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of lunatic
Noun
  • Its winding path — and its goose motif — serve as the inspiration for Fortunae, Ginori 1735’s latest collection of collectible porcelain and home decor.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In terms of the fake-out, yeah, just a tiny little goose for the last moment.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of goose
Adjective
  • Doing so would be a stupid move for an Oval Office wannabe, one already hobbled by the progressive persona of the Golden State.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Republican Massachusetts Senate nominee John Deaton is not stupid.
    — Jon Keller, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of stupid
Noun
  • Don’t let the building’s modern facade fool you, the rooms are minimalist yet warm with wood flooring, floral wallpaper, and hand-knotted rugs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In these labors, Carson is akin to two other recent laureates, Jon Fosse and László Krasznahorkai, our foremost writers of holy fools.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 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 ball popped out of his glove and fell in front of him, creating a bit of a mad scramble for Ramírez.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some reports have suggested that Harry knew the contents of the memoir before it was published, which reportedly adds to William’s reasons to be mad at his brother.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of mad
Noun
  • David extended a hand toward me (imaginary attacks by slow, handshake-wielding maniacs are a martial arts class staple).
    — Johanna Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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 18 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cuckoo

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cuckoo

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