KNOW-NOTHING Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

know-nothing

noun

ˈnō-ˌnə-thiŋ

Definition of know-nothing

as in idiot

a stupid person often disparaged her coworkers as a bunch of know-nothings

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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 know-nothing What began as conceptual satire about know-nothing critics with nothing to say became, Heidecker believes, more about the democratization of entertainment and the last days of Hollywood reverence. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026 How about the Hollywood know-nothings Susan Sarandon or Mark Ruffalo, who have so much to say about the suffering of Hamas terrorists but not a peep for people being brutalized and murdered by actual terrorists? — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026 How did liberal democracy go from being the uncontested winner of the Cold War to a hapless doormat for reality-TV stars and know-nothing podcasters? — Jamie Merchant, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2025 Then there are those who rage against their children’s accomplishments, clinging to the hierarchy agreed upon when the child was a helpless know-nothing. — Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025 The secret is that Spike’s know-nothing naivete encourages us to see the world through the eyes of someone who’s new to every part of it. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for know-nothing

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

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known

know-nothing

know-nothingism

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“Know-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/know-nothing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of know-nothing

noun

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