as in TV
an electronic device with a screen and speakers that reproduces images and sound
she declared that she wouldn't have an idiot box in her home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 idiot box
Writers strove to position themselves as more cynical than the idiot box that knew itself to be an idiot box.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
Writers strove to position themselves as more cynical than the idiot box that knew itself to be an idiot box.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
Hayes, who works in TV, treats TikTok wholly as something to watch—an algorithmically individualized idiot box.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Column: Streamers profited when ‘the idiot box’ became art.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024
All that, somehow, without Truman himself ever switching on the idiot box.
—Armond White, National Review, 2 Aug. 2023
Television Column: Streamers profited when ‘the idiot box’ became art.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2023
But the idiot box has also inspired arguably his worst projects, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and The Newsroom, sanctimonious and stupefyingly self-serious accounts of the woes of content creation.
—Jason Bailey, Vulture, 21 Dec. 2021
All those childhood years in front of the idiot box could now be considered research — a lifetime of training, cleverly disguised as sloth.
—Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2020
Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
Writers strove to position themselves as more cynical than the idiot box that knew itself to be an idiot box.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
Hayes, who works in TV, treats TikTok wholly as something to watch—an algorithmically individualized idiot box.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Column: Streamers profited when ‘the idiot box’ became art.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024
All that, somehow, without Truman himself ever switching on the idiot box.
—Armond White, National Review, 2 Aug. 2023
Television Column: Streamers profited when ‘the idiot box’ became art.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2023
But the idiot box has also inspired arguably his worst projects, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and The Newsroom, sanctimonious and stupefyingly self-serious accounts of the woes of content creation.
—Jason Bailey, Vulture, 21 Dec. 2021
All those childhood years in front of the idiot box could now be considered research — a lifetime of training, cleverly disguised as sloth.
—Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idiot box
Noun
-
How to watch Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars Venue: American Airlines Center — Dallas Time: 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday TV (U.S.): ESPN TV (CAN): Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports Stream: Fubo (try for free) Watching in person?—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
-
That same day, after seeing the prosecutor on TV, Thom fired off an email.—
Tresa Baldas,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The image of the distraught Inter Milan supporter who flashed up on television screens around the world, as his team prepared to take a meaningless corner in the 76th minute, told the story of the Champions League final.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idiot box.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idiot%20box. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share