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
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
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'know-nothing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 5 Nov. 2024.
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