simpleton

noun

ˈsim-pəl-tən How to pronounce simpleton (audio)
Definition of simpletonnext
1
as in fool
a person who lacks good sense or judgment his silly antics at office parties have earned him a reputation as a simpleton

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person she felt like such a simpleton for needing help to install her home theater

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 simpleton His competition was Forrest Gump, a feel-good studio drama that located America’s soul in a sweet simpleton played by Tom Hanks. — Michael Schulman, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2023 Redmayne plays a creep; Henry, a yearner; Keoghan, a simpleton. — Glenn Whippcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2023 Keoghan’s village simpleton, who becomes a poor substitute friend for Farrell’s character, is both delightfully weird and gradually gutting as the traumas of his upbringing become clearer. — Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Dec. 2022 Savvy and simpleton investors alike could easily pick apart Snap’s latest quarterly data. — Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for simpleton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simpleton
  1. fool
  2. moron
  3. lunatic
  4. stupid
  5. goose
  6. maniac
Noun
  • Don’t let the thin sole fool you though, the structure is still quite supportive and keeps your feet cushioned.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026
  • Being a gent or a supplicant wasn’t the same as being a fool, though.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • God help us all if some idiot, some moron, ever put you in charge.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026
  • Mantzoukas was willing to look like a maniac and a moron in equal measure.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Definition of moron
Noun
  • As a Spurs fan, I was particularly invested in Campbell in an England shirt and recall charging around the living room like a lunatic before the reality that it had been chalked off hit home.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 18 June 2026
  • The lunatics are running the asylum.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026
Definition of lunatic
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
  • The shows featured a continuous storyline surrounding her string of black pearls being lost and found, sending her on a goose chase that began with The Nanny and continued into Can’t Hurry Love, Murphy Brown and High Society.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Critics see further expansion as risking the life of the goose that lays golden eggs.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of goose
Noun
  • The Destroyer accelerates with the single-minded wilfulness of a homicidal maniac.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
  • Mantzoukas was willing to look like a maniac and a moron in equal measure.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Definition of maniac

Browse Nearby Words

simpleness
simpleton
simpletons
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Cite this Entry

“Simpleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simpleton. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of simpleton for Spanish Speakers

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