dingbat

noun

ˈdiŋ-ˌbat How to pronounce dingbat (audio)
Definition of dingbatnext
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment a dingbat who was constantly firing off nonsensical letters to the editor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 dingbat At this moment, though, perception is everything, and Blue Owl was viewed as a suspect parvenue to the private-credit world and a total dingbat to emphasize private equity firms. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026 Again, how can someone be so essential, so rich and, at the same time, such a dingbat? — Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Sep. 2024 He was inspired to invent these elders by contemplating the oddly textured cinder blocks of a dingbat apartment on 6th Avenue in Venice. — Mark Gozonsky, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2023 One 77-year-old tenant has lived in a $824-per-month dingbat unit alongside her 56-year-old son with special needs for 40 years, the outlet reports. — Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 9 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dingbat
  1. lunatic
  2. fool
  3. goose
  4. moron
  5. maniac
Noun
  • The show will serve as a platform for countless lunatics within the InfoWars universe and a platform for larger announcements about the company’s fictional exploits.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Rabin was killed [in 1995], that was a last straw —seeing an extremist right-wing lunatic in Israel kill Rabin and kill the dreams of peace.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of lunatic
Noun
  • But Thomas and Erika are no fools, coolly telling off smiling Hitler sympathizers during a tony reception.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Atlanta Dream might now be the hottest ticket in town and State Farm Arena would be fools not to host them in Game 6.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • In short, the encyclopedia is being destroyed by its biggest beneficiaries, like a golden goose slaughtered for slop-pâté.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ternus’ interaction with IShowSpeed is clearly designed to capture this (and, of course, to goose preorder numbers among the influencer’s young and massive audience).
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of goose
Noun
  • The fact that there is someone out there who could actually get all the real unsuspecting morons who participated in this movie to sign off on it afterwards is simply astonishing considering what they are asked to do in it.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The unlikely source is Enervate’s company stooge corporate strategist, Ken Davies (Tim Key), a moron by any measure.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of moron
Noun
  • David extended a hand toward me (imaginary attacks by slow, handshake-wielding maniacs are a martial arts class staple).
    — Johanna Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Unbeknownst to the visitors, there’s an unhappy fifth party already in the house… and more than one homicidal maniac even within that small populace.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 July 2026
Definition of maniac

Browse Nearby Words

ding-a-lings
dingbat
dingbats
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dingbat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dingbat. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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