crackpot

5 synonyms and 1 antonym for crackpot, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Someone seen as eccentric or foolish, especially for holding strange or unfounded beliefs.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

nut crank

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fruitcake screwball nut case

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Someone seen as eccentric or foolish, especially for holding strange or unfounded beliefs.

“The scientist was dismissed as a crackpot until his theory was later proven.”

nut crank fruitcake screwball nut case

2. adjective

Eccentric, impractical, or absurd.

“He came up with another crackpot scheme to get rich quick.”

Opposites

prudent

How to use crackpot

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

crackpot theory crackpot scheme crackpot idea

Informal and dismissive — used to mock, not a neutral description.

Etymology

Probably built from crack (as in "crack-brained") plus pot, likening an unstable mind to a cracked pot.

Full origin of crackpot →

Frequently asked questions

What does “crackpot” mean?

The word “crackpot” means someone seen as eccentric or foolish, especially for holding strange or unfounded beliefs. In plain terms, a word for a person (or their idea) that is wildly eccentric or unsound.

How do you pronounce “crackpot”?

“Crackpot” is pronounced KRAK-pot (/ˈkɹæk.pɒt/ in IPA).

How do you use “crackpot” in a sentence?

Here is “crackpot” used in a sentence: “The scientist was dismissed as a crackpot until his theory was later proven.”

What part of speech is “crackpot”?

Depending on how it is used, “crackpot” can be a noun and an adjective.

How many meanings does “crackpot” have?

“Crackpot” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone seen as eccentric or foolish, especially for holding strange or unfounded beliefs.

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nut prudent crank screwball fruitcake

Nearby words

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