1
as in psychotic
having or showing a very abnormal or sick state of mind
a cuckoo woman who wandered around town carefully gathering up useless trash
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
offered a completely cuckoo suggestion for using the defunct strip mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
one cuckoo at the campground tried to boil soup in a plastic cup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in goose
a silly flighty person
didn't want to be among those cuckoos who race around the mall the day before Christmas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cuckoo
Frank Pallotta, CNN, 27 Sep. 2022
By peeping on cuckoo chicks during development, McClelland and her colleagues have homed in on one of the major strategies these birds, and several others like them, use to achieve their super-swole status at such a young age.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2021
David Escribano, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana The island of Hispaniola boasts a wide array of native Caribbean birds like the mangrove cuckoo, bananaquit and palmchat—all of which can be encountered during a stay at Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cuckoo 
Adjective
If that wasn’t enough, the internet went deeply cuckoo trying to figure out if Styles spat on co-star Chris Pine’s lap during the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
—Frank Pallotta, CNN, 27 Sep. 2022
By peeping on cuckoo chicks during development, McClelland and her colleagues have homed in on one of the major strategies these birds, and several others like them, use to achieve their super-swole status at such a young age.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2021
Noun
The dense jungle of the foothills of the Star Mountains, where annual rainfall is among the highest in the world, is home to chats, parrots, cuckoos, and the rare baya weaver.
—David Escribano, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana The island of Hispaniola boasts a wide array of native Caribbean birds like the mangrove cuckoo, bananaquit and palmchat—all of which can be encountered during a stay at Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cuckoo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuckoo
Adjective
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The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
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Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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The bottom line: try not to be weather wise, climate foolish.—
Renee Winick,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Trump's plan for redevelopment of Gaza Strip is both foolish and unworkable, not a great combination.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In a preview clip exclusive to Entertainment Weekly, Maddie and Josh (Bryan Safi) take a call that leads police sergeant Athena (Angela Bassett) on a wild goose chase.—
Patrick Gomez,
EW.com,
4 Feb. 2025
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Tweet of the week: 1 Tweet of the week: 2 A wild goose chase What are the most common reasons for a football match being postponed?—
Tim Spiers,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With his shock of spiky hair and adrenaline rushes, Smith turns a corporate villain into a lunatic new-wave frontman.—
Charles McNultyTheater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2023
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The first personality is the lunatic, chaotic artist, with no limits.—
John Bleasdale,
Variety,
8 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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The premise itself is both deeply stupid and incredibly clever (the sweet spot, really).—
Erin Strecker,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2025
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Some of the replies were the usual stupid snark on social media from people who thrive on being negative.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Both arenas are designed around performers, sometimes made to look the fool and other times a noble voice of the people, but where one lands always depends on the moment in which a joke or plea is delivered.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
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Don’t let the shiny patent black leather fool you, though.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Contrary to popular belief, peanuts are actually not nuts.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
30 Mar. 2023
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Nonetheless, April 5, 2022, was nuts.—
Childs Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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While Nigerians are upset with economic conditions, most are not mad at Dangote.—
John Hyatt,
Forbes,
17 Feb. 2025
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Why, for instance, is the hot middle-aged dad, Eric (Scott Foley), so incredibly mad at his 20-something daughter, Olivia (Maia Reficco), for wanting to purchase a literal villa in Italy for the whopping price of one euro?—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near cuckoo
Cite this Entry
“Cuckoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuckoo. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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