1
as in fool
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
I don't want to be partnered on the project with that doofus
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person
that actor invariably plays a doofus on screen but he's anything but one in real life
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doofus
The dramatic wheels are set in motion early, with Shu-Fen, always pressed for money, further strapped by her decision to pay for her estranged ex-husband’s funeral, while attracting the amorous attentions of the good-natured doofus who runs the neighboring knick-knack stand.
—
Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2025
There is no silver lining to looking like a doofus.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
The Carl Erskine problem Unfortunately, the doofus who put together the ballot (editor’s note: the newsletter author put together the ballot) forgot to include Carl Erskine in the actual ballot.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
How can someone whose wealth and fame rest on innovative technologies—electric cars and rocket launches—be such a doofus?
—Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for doofus
Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2025
There is no silver lining to looking like a doofus.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
The Carl Erskine problem Unfortunately, the doofus who put together the ballot (editor’s note: the newsletter author put together the ballot) forgot to include Carl Erskine in the actual ballot.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
How can someone whose wealth and fame rest on innovative technologies—electric cars and rocket launches—be such a doofus?
—Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for doofus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doofus
Noun
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The mind wants desperately to connect with a person—and fools itself into seeing one in a machine.—
Damon Beres,
The Atlantic,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Since medieval times, the colorful fool—from court jesters to Shakespeare’s characters—has used playful wit to critique authority and buffoonery to whip up excitement.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Parents know these woke lunatics are bullies.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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But as Plemons so deftly plays him, Teddy doesn’t seem like a lunatic.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The artist’s way, of course, is sincere, even if in the case of Dracula, sincerity begets just under three hours of unsparing cultural commentary and full goose bozo vulgarity.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
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Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Haunted Trail takes visitors outdoors through a path with dense fog and several haunting installations with zombies, a ghoul bus, a graveyard filled with ghosts, chainsaw maniacs and more.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
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Change Halloween to the Fourth of July and a relentless maniac to a hungry shark, and Steven Spielberg's iconic blockbuster might as well be a seabound slasher.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doofus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doofus. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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