stooge
6 synonyms for stooge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Someone who lets themselves be used by others, usually to take the blame or do the dirty work.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use stooge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a stooge for
mere stooge
the magician's stooge
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly from Russian студент (studént, "student"), which once meant a stage assistant to a comedian; it may have come into English via Yiddish theatre slang.
Full origin of stooge →Frequently asked questions
What does “stooge” mean?
The word “stooge” means someone who lets themselves be used by others, usually to take the blame or do the dirty work. In plain terms, someone being used, often without fully realising it, to serve someone else's interests.
How do you pronounce “stooge”?
“Stooge” is pronounced stooj (/stuːd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stooge” in a sentence?
Here is “stooge” used in a sentence: “He was made the stooge for a scheme he barely understood.”
What part of speech is “stooge”?
“Stooge” is a noun.
Where does the word “stooge” come from?
The word “stooge” comes from Russian. Origin uncertain — possibly from Russian студент (studént, "student"), which once meant a stage assistant to a comedian; it may have come into English via Yiddish theatre slang.
How many meanings does “stooge” have?
“Stooge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who lets themselves be used by others, usually to take the blame or do the dirty work.
