as in sucker
one who is easily deceived or cheated
an Internet newbie who's the perfect patsy for a cyber scam
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patsy
The problem is that any Fed governor who agrees with him risks looking like a patsy, according to UBS’s Paul Donovan.
—
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 30 July 2025
News stories about Iran and Netanyahu playing him as a patsy didn’t help.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
Today’s Wordle Etymology The word patsy apparently comes from the Italian name Patsy, short for Pasquale, which was used in vaudeville productions and early 20th-century slang to refer to a gullible or easily deceived individual.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Harry and Kev are anxiously awaiting word from Richie, who was last seen torturing the patsy that was set up to take the fall for Tommy's murder.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patsy
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 30 July 2025
News stories about Iran and Netanyahu playing him as a patsy didn’t help.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
Today’s Wordle Etymology The word patsy apparently comes from the Italian name Patsy, short for Pasquale, which was used in vaudeville productions and early 20th-century slang to refer to a gullible or easily deceived individual.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Harry and Kev are anxiously awaiting word from Richie, who was last seen torturing the patsy that was set up to take the fall for Tommy's murder.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patsy
Noun
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As the humpback plunges back below the surface the remoras, also known as sucker fish, return to the whale, sticking their landings with the timing and precision of Olympic gymnasts.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Remove any canes that are crossing or rubbing against each other, as well as any suckers that have formed.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The title especially stings for the many survivors of violence and persecution under Suharto’s rule – and the families of his victims.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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In an email, Victoria Police confirmed the victims were a 33-year-old woman and a 7-year-old boy from Doveton.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Microsoft unveiled a new category of PC that features generative artificial intelligence tools built into Windows, the company's world-leading operating system.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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When selecting a specific use case to pursue, Pantone considered the struggles its customers had previously brought to the company’s attention and surveyed other tools on the market for designers and creatives.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Among Cederquist’s chump-change payoffs, in addition to the candy, were bottled water, a snow blower and a granite mailbox.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
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While a single-digit decline in real terms, a $4 billion loss is neither chump nor Trump change for any shareholders.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patsy. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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