1
as in lunatics
one having or showing a severely disordered or abnormal state of mind
giggled like a loon at his own jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in idiots
a stupid person
the loons at the grocery store had put the potato chips at the bottom of the bag
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 loons
As loons make their way back to Midwest lakes this spring, some are being forced out of the sky by dangerous weather conditions, leading to crash landings far from water.
—
Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The location lends itself to lush landscapes and sandy beaches with ample opportunity to spot local flora and fauna from frogs and tortoises to hawks and loons.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
The show also contains numerous Canadian references — cottage country, loons, McGill University — which would have not made sense outside of the Great White North.
—Max Gao, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
For those in search of the immersive Adirondack experience of sleeping under the stars and morning wake-up calls courtesy of resident loons, camping is a solid choice.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Maine has thousands more loons than the other New England states, with the other five states combining for about 1,000 adults.
—Patrick Whittle, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
In addition to loons and lakes, Minnesota is also home to a one-of-a-kind competition that for this week, has pitted Classic SPAM against a personal aircraft.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Indeed, the beauty of New Orleans proper was found in its colorful variety of humans—the loons and cons, the beggars and peddlers.
—Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
There's waterfalls coming down the mountains, bears running around and ducks and loons flying around and swimming.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 2 Oct. 2024
Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The location lends itself to lush landscapes and sandy beaches with ample opportunity to spot local flora and fauna from frogs and tortoises to hawks and loons.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
The show also contains numerous Canadian references — cottage country, loons, McGill University — which would have not made sense outside of the Great White North.
—Max Gao, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
For those in search of the immersive Adirondack experience of sleeping under the stars and morning wake-up calls courtesy of resident loons, camping is a solid choice.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Maine has thousands more loons than the other New England states, with the other five states combining for about 1,000 adults.
—Patrick Whittle, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
In addition to loons and lakes, Minnesota is also home to a one-of-a-kind competition that for this week, has pitted Classic SPAM against a personal aircraft.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Indeed, the beauty of New Orleans proper was found in its colorful variety of humans—the loons and cons, the beggars and peddlers.
—Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
There's waterfalls coming down the mountains, bears running around and ducks and loons flying around and swimming.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loons
Noun
-
Secretary of State Marco Rubio wasn’t far behind, saying the war is being waged against religious lunatics.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The danger is in doing nothing as theocratic lunatics continue to weaponize with atomic bombs and modern missile delivery systems.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Doesn’t matter to all the freakin’ idiots who dress up like Santa.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Payment processors aren’t idiots, and a huge number of new charges was likely to arouse suspicion.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are complicated brain-chemistry factors involved that have to do with testosterone, and dopaminergic systems, and kappa-opioid receptors, all of which seem to add up to a Jim Gaffigan joke about how men are morons compared with their wives.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As Rose’s impoverished yet imperious mother Ruth, Parson’s dry deliveries offer great comic ballast to this ship of fools.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
-
McGinn sets high standards in training and during games and does not suffer fools.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Squash bugs, white flies, and thrips will stay away from cucumbers thanks to the musky, green, and spicy fragrance of marigolds.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid planting zucchini next to potatoes and pumpkins, which can steal nutrients or attract harmful bugs.—
Lauren David,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loons. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
