know-nothing
noun
know-noth·ing
ˈnō-ˌnə-thiŋ 
2
capitalized K&N
: a member of a 19th century secret American political organization hostile to the political influence of recent immigrants and Roman Catholics
know-nothing
adjective
Synonyms
- 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
- goon
- half-wit
- hammerhead
- hardhead
- idiot
- ignoramus
- imbecile
- jackass
- 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
Examples of know-nothing in a Sentence
often disparaged her coworkers as a bunch of know-nothings
Recent Examples on the Web
Who knew the know-nothing King in the North had capitalist ambition?
—
Zoe Guy, Vulture, 2 July 2024
That end would be a story not so different from the one told by Miles Davis of his encounter with a know-nothing politician’s wife at a White House reception.
—Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2024
Before appointing Satoshi Morimoto, one of Japan's top national security experts, the current prime minister tapped two know-nothing legislators for the post of defense minister -- a result of paying more attention to party politics than a prospect's ability or vision.
—Takashi Yokota, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2012
Have these know-nothings asked Hamas for their freedom?
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 May 2024
As soon as these opinions appeared, they were met with online blowback from people who deemed these execs anti-art philistines and know-nothings.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2024
Their rowdy energy is so willfully disreputable, they must be made by a bunch of know-nothing lunkheads.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2023
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.
Zoe Guy, Vulture, 2 July 2024
That end would be a story not so different from the one told by Miles Davis of his encounter with a know-nothing politician’s wife at a White House reception.
—Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2024
Before appointing Satoshi Morimoto, one of Japan's top national security experts, the current prime minister tapped two know-nothing legislators for the post of defense minister -- a result of paying more attention to party politics than a prospect's ability or vision.
—Takashi Yokota, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2012
Have these know-nothings asked Hamas for their freedom?
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 May 2024
As soon as these opinions appeared, they were met with online blowback from people who deemed these execs anti-art philistines and know-nothings.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2024
Their rowdy energy is so willfully disreputable, they must be made by a bunch of know-nothing lunkheads.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near know-nothing
Cite this Entry
“Know-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know-nothing. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share