donkey

noun

ˈdäŋ-kē How to pronounce donkey (audio)
Definition of donkeynext
1
as in mule
a sturdy and patient domestic mammal that is used especially to carry things we put our bags on the donkey and headed down the canyon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in idiot
a stupid person called him a donkey when he refused to go along with their plans

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 donkey Scientists have traced the origins of donkeys back more than 5,000 years to eastern Africa. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 French doors open from both bedrooms onto a cobbled terrace with seating overlooking the fields—a sweet spot for morning coffee among the horses, sheep, and the aforementioned vocal donkey. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026 The attorney for HeeHaw's owner says the donkey was raised as a pet and known to be docile. — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for donkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donkey
  1. mule
  2. moron
  3. burro
  4. stupid
  5. ass
  6. jackass
Noun
  • Recognized for its extended vamp (that is, the upper portion of the shoe), this style lives at the intersection of a ballerina, a loafer, and a mule.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Vogue’s Favorite Backless Loafers The loafer mule emerged as a breakout style last spring after more than a decade of lying dormant, and appearing on the runways at Gucci, Balenciaga, and Chanel.
    — Christina Holevas, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of mule
Noun
  • The unlikely source is Enervate’s company stooge corporate strategist, Ken Davies (Tim Key), a moron by any measure.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
  • God help us all if some idiot, some moron, ever put you in charge.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026
Definition of moron
Noun
  • Come for the design, stay for the tagliolini cacio e burro (fresh pasta with butter and cheese).
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The statue was modeled after a real burro that lived in the canyon in the early 20th century.
    — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of burro
Noun
  • My dad has always said the lottery is a tax on the stupid.
    — Alex Crippen, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Problem is, even people who know baseball don’t know baseball, which makes betting on baseball stupid.
    — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of stupid
Noun
  • Luann is unfazed and unmoving, cigar in hand, fedora on her head, posing for the camera despite the woman wailing from beneath her ass.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Throwing a smartphone chip, a power supply, some basic speakers, and a few ports in a small box shouldn’t cost all that much if a whole-ass laptop version is $699.
    — Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of ass
Noun
  • Still, the show never gets beyond Russ being a showboating jackass and Chad being the low-IQ projection of a showboating jackass.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Eminem In the first film, Joe Flaherty's character famously heckles Happy by repeatedly calling him a jackass right before he's set to putt.
    — Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of jackass

Browse Nearby Words

Don Juans
donkey
donkey's years
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Donkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donkey. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on donkey

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about donkey

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