Synonyms of turkey

turkey

noun

ˈtər-kē 

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

• goose
• fool
• lunatic
• maniac
• nut
• idiot
• moron
• booby
• cuckoo
• monkey
• loser
• ding-dong
• dingbat
• jackass
• mooncalf
• nincompoop
• ninny
• dipstick
• nutcase
• berk
• ninnyhammer
• simpleton
• git
• simp
• featherhead
• doofus
• charlie
• nitwit
• dummy
• donkey
• ding-a-ling
• half-wit
• nit
• daredevil
• yo-yo
• dumbbell
• gander
• madman
• butt
• imbecile
• ignoramus
• dope
• blockhead
• pinhead
• dodo
• numskull
• stock
• know-nothing
• dolt
• birdbrain
• knucklehead
• dunce
• schnook
• character
• chump
• featherbrain
• goon
• fathead
• dork
• airhead
• crank
• scatterbrain
• schlump
• schlub
• schlemiel
• dupe
• weirdo
• crackpot
• laughingstock
• mockery
• screwball
• codger
• oddball
• kook
• crackbrain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• brain
• sage
• thinker
• genius

2

as in idiot

a stupid person

you turkey, that wasn't my boyfriend—it was my brother!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• idiot
• moron
• stupid
• dummy
• loser
• donkey
• goose
• fool
• mutt
• dip
• dumbbell
• saphead
• gander
• prat
• noodle
• cluck
• imbecile
• ignoramus
• jerk
• blockhead
• pinhead
• dope
• dodo
• hammerhead
• loon
• numskull
• know-nothing
• dolt
• meathead
• golem
• dumb cluck
• stupe
• lunkhead
• bonehead
• birdbrain
• jackass
• stock
• yahoo
• knucklehead
• loggerhead
• dumbhead
• dullard
• dunderhead
• dum-dum
• cuddy
• oaf
• dunce
• goof
• cretin
• nincompoop
• ninny
• deadhead
• hardhead
• dim bulb
• schnook
• dimwit
• lump
• simpleton
• woodenhead
• fathead
• ninnyhammer
• goon
• chucklehead
• nimrod
• airhead
• mome
• noddy
• dork
• clunk
• dummkopf
• chowderhead
• bubblehead
• doofus
• half-wit
• nitwit
• schlub
• clodpoll
• lamebrain
• clot
• skunk
• clown
• thickhead
• villain
• booby
• ratbag
• nit
• yo-yo
• mug
• buffoon
• snake
• madman
• nut
• loony
• creep
• zany
• beast
• heel
• gawk
• cad
• stinker
• featherbrain
• scatterbrain
• boor
• cur
• churl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• brain
• sage
• genius
• intellect
• thinker
• intellectual
• wizard
• whiz
• Renaissance man
• polymath
• sharpie

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

• disaster
• failure
• catastrophe
• bomb
• lemon
• loser
• bust
• disappointment
• flop
• frost
• washout
• mess
• fiasco
• shipwreck
• miss
• dog
• clinker
• debacle
• dud
• has-been
• fizzle
• clunker
• bummer
• hash
• also-ran
• botch
• shambles
• near miss
• nonevent
• muddle
• nonstarter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• success
• winner
• blockbuster
• hit
• smash
• phenomenon
• corker
• crackerjack
• dandy
• jim-dandy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of turkey

The photos show the president at rallies, pardoning turkeys, at the White House with Christmas decorations, standing with the FIFA trophy, surrounded by flags, flanked by military leaders, outside the Taj Mahal and more. — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

The changes mainly pertain to nonresident waterfowl hunting hours, reopening the fall turkey season, and changes to state park entrance and camping fees. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

The dairy farmer agreed with a comment from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins encouraging Americans to seek out other forms of protein, including turkey, amid a rise in the cost of beef. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2026

Lunch is generally ground turkey with a vegetable, and dinner is usually salmon with broccoli. — Victoria Ekwenuke, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing turkey

• cold turkey