1
as in goose
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
only a turkey would think it's a good idea to go for a jog when the weather drops below zero
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person
you turkey, that wasn't my boyfriend—it was my brother!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disaster
something that has failed
his business venture ended up being a turkey, and he lost quite a bit of money on it
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 turkey
It’s formulated with a blend of shiitake, turkey tail, lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi and tremella mushrooms, plus adaptogens amla, ashwagandha, astragalus, goji, maca, panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng and schisandra.
—
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Backyard poultry include birds such as chicken, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys.
—Jonel Aleccia, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Connecticut turkey hunting typically costs $47, combining a $19 turkey permit with the mandatory $28 resident game bird conservation stamp, according to DEEP.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
As part of its centennial celebration of the iconic dish, The Brown Hotel is embracing this spirit of innovation by introducing a number of hot brown variations, including a dip, quesadilla, wontons, and poutine-like fries loaded with turkey, bacon, and mornay sauce.
—Rich Warren, Saveur, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turkey
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Backyard poultry include birds such as chicken, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys.
—Jonel Aleccia, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Connecticut turkey hunting typically costs $47, combining a $19 turkey permit with the mandatory $28 resident game bird conservation stamp, according to DEEP.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
As part of its centennial celebration of the iconic dish, The Brown Hotel is embracing this spirit of innovation by introducing a number of hot brown variations, including a dip, quesadilla, wontons, and poutine-like fries loaded with turkey, bacon, and mornay sauce.
—Rich Warren, Saveur, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turkey
Noun
-
Atvara, who spent years working in teaching, journalism, and marketing before returning to her first love, puts her classical training to good use, particularly during a goose-bump-inducing climax in which her voice swoops and soars like a haunted songbird.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
-
Their first album in four years, Dancing on the Wall, reflects a group that's been famous long enough to know what a golden goose’s underbelly looks like.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
In the aftermath of the BAFTA Film Awards, the BBC created a new set of protocols, which now need to be unleashed without a hitch as the public broadcaster bids to avoid a repeat of the disaster.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
-
The United Nations estimates that, all told, thousands of people have died or will die as a result of the disaster.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Here are three fool-proof tips to stay ahead of the curve during the volatility to come.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
-
The Quince Revive Nylon Crescent Shoulder Bag is just $32, but don’t let its affordable price fool you.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Lluís then calls Puig Antich a moron.—
Colm Tóibín,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This drunk moron — quite different from his character in the novel — bears a ton of blame.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When Danh was initially hospitalized overseas on April 9, doctors diagnosed her with acute liver failure, among other serious health issues.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Despite these obvious failures, many still call for the rich to pay more taxes.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Mark Hamill has been a lunatic for years now.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
To get a sentence like that in a communist, radically left-wing city of liberal lunatics is truly amazing.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
My dad has always said the lottery is a tax on the stupid.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The scale of the headloss was best summed up by Luis Suarez attempting to reason with Messi, before the Argentine did anything on the Suarez scale of stupid.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This is the same show that features Mad Dog Russo screaming like a maniac into the camera every week, right?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
This maniac should be removed from office.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turkey. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
