1
: a stupid person
2
a
: a man hired to terrorize or eliminate opponents
went on; gone on; going on; goes on
1
2
: to take place : happen
what's going on
3
: to talk especially in an effusive manner
the way people go on about their ancestors—
Hamilton Basso
Hamilton BassoSynonyms
Noun
- airhead
- birdbrain
- blockhead
- bonehead
- bubblehead
- chowderhead
- chucklehead
- clodpoll
- clodpole
- clot [British]
- cluck
- clunk
- cretin
- cuddy [British dialect]
- cuddie
- deadhead
- dim bulb [slang]
- dimwit
- dip
- dodo
- dolt
- donkey
- doofus [slang]
- dope
- dork [slang]
- dullard
- dum-dum
- dumbbell
- dumbhead
- dummkopf
- dummy
- dunce
- dunderhead
- fathead
- gander
- golem
- goof
- half-wit
- hammerhead
- hardhead
- idiot
- ignoramus
- imbecile
- jackass
- know-nothing
- knucklehead
- lamebrain
- loggerhead [chiefly dialect]
- loon
- lump
- lunkhead
- meathead
- mome [archaic]
- moron
- mug [chiefly British]
- mutt
- natural
- nimrod [slang]
- nincompoop
- ninny
- ninnyhammer
- nit [chiefly British]
- nitwit
- noddy
- noodle
- numskull
- numbskull
- oaf
- pinhead
- prat [British]
- ratbag [chiefly Australian]
- saphead
- schlub [slang]
- shlub
- schnook [slang]
- simpleton
- stock
- stupe
- stupid
- thickhead
- turkey
- woodenhead
- yahoo
- yo-yo
Verb
Examples of goon in a Sentence
Noun
He was beat up by a couple of goons.
an unfortunate tendency to call those who disagree with him “brainless goons”
Verb
what in the world is going on in there?
my, but Aunt Betty does go on about all of her aches and pains
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Thompson, SPIN, 18 Oct. 2024
The idea that the goon on the sidelines might be the movie’s stealth MVP starts to seem less and less far-fetched.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2024
Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Create a Schedule With Your Teen Many teens have a lot going on and need a little support with time management.
—Amy Morin, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for goon 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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about these examples.
Noun
There are no goons in SECURITY jackets, no cops, no city officials checking paperwork and conducting risk assessments.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 18 Oct. 2024
The idea that the goon on the sidelines might be the movie’s stealth MVP starts to seem less and less far-fetched.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
So many people experience one mental health crisis, go on medication, and continue to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
—Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Create a Schedule With Your Teen Many teens have a lot going on and need a little support with time management.
—Amy Morin, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for goon
Dictionary Entries Near goon
Cite this Entry
“Goon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goon. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
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