turkey

noun

ˈtər-kē How to pronounce turkey (audio)
Definition of turkeynext
1
as in goose
a person who lacks good sense or judgment only a turkey would think it's a good idea to go for a jog when the weather drops below zero

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person you turkey, that wasn't my boyfriend—it was my brother!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disaster
something that has failed his business venture ended up being a turkey, and he lost quite a bit of money on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 turkey Combine ham, turkey, cheese, and pickles in a large bowl; add dressing and mix until well coated. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026 Other potential bird sightings include prothonotary warblers, Southern barred owls, and bald eagles—and there’s always a chance to see whitetail deer, rabbits, squirrels, wild turkey, and various reptiles. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026 In general, the healthiest approach includes mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like seafood, chicken, and turkey, along with a limited intake of red and processed meats, regardless of the cooking method. — Martha Stewart, 7 Aug. 2026 Choose a lean protein, such as chicken, lean roast beef, tuna, or turkey. — Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turkey
  1. goose
  2. moron
  3. disaster
  4. fool
  5. stupid
  6. failure
  7. lunatic
  8. dummy
Noun
  • Taylor Sheridan is Paramount's golden goose right now, creating the ultra-popular Yellowstone franchise along with a passel of other shows.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026
  • They were provided by a speedy and adventurous black squirrel, who spent the better part of an inning on and around the playing field and at one point led an army of ground crew members on a wild goose — uh, squirrel — chase in right field.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of goose
Noun
  • God help us all if some idiot, some moron, ever put you in charge.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026
  • Mantzoukas was willing to look like a maniac and a moron in equal measure.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Definition of moron
Noun
  • The club was rebuilding after the 1958 Munich air disaster but won a first post-Munich trophy, the FA Cup, earlier that year.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In nearby Anderson in Madison County, Indiana, the mayor declared a local disaster emergency and issued evacuation orders Thursday along the swelling White River and other waterways.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • Pyrite, commonly known as fool’s gold, is an unusual semiconductor.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a version of this character that’s just the fool, and you’re disconnected from him, but Matthew takes you on a journey with this character.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • My dad has always said the lottery is a tax on the stupid.
    — Alex Crippen, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Problem is, even people who know baseball don’t know baseball, which makes betting on baseball stupid.
    — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of stupid
Noun
  • There was widespread concern in San Antonio last fall that a failure to approve a new arena could open the door for the Spurs to relocate to Austin.
    — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Reports vary on the exact level of success or failure of Meghan's brand As Ever, but the jam, flower sprinkles and scented candles have become a bit of a joke.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez , Ashley Papa , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Republicans see an opportunity here, portraying progressive and socialist Democrats as lunatics and communists.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • While sane Americans were celebrating the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, the lunatics in Portland, Oregon were cheering along as two men made out on a baseball field during a 'Heated Rivalry' theme night.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of lunatic
Noun
  • Scientists reported this week on the radiation-shielding vest worn around the moon by a female test dummy in 2022.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Most uncomfortable—not even a crash-test dummy would have enjoyed it.
    — The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of dummy

Phrases Containing turkey

Browse Nearby Words

turista
turkey
turkeys
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turkey. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on turkey

Nglish: Translation of turkey for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about turkey

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All