wacko
/ˈwæk.oʊ/
NOUN
1. An eccentric or unusually behaving person
A person regarded as strange, unconventional, eccentric, or noticeably different from what is considered normal in behavior or personality.
1.1. Strange and eccentric individuals
Used informally, often dismissively, to refer to someone whose personality, habits, or behavior are considered peculiar, unconventional, or bizarre.
Synonyms
Examples
- The neighbors thought he was a wacko because he talked to his garden plants every morning.
- Everyone considered the eccentric inventor a wacko because of his unusual experiments.
Related Words
- peculiarity
- eccentricity
- individuality
- unconventionality
- oddity
- quirk
1.2. A foolish or irrational person
Used as an informal and often insulting label for someone perceived as foolish, unreasonable, irrational, or lacking sound judgment.
Synonyms
Examples
- The newspaper dismissed the conspiracy theorist as a wacko who refused to consider scientific evidence.
- Only a wacko would attempt such a dangerous stunt without proper preparation.
Related Words
- foolishness
- irrationality
- absurdity
- imprudence
- poor judgment
- senselessness
ADJECTIVE
2. Crazy or irrational in behavior
Behaving in an extremely unusual, irrational, bizarre, or seemingly insane manner; also describing ideas or situations that appear unreasonable or absurd.
2.1. Crazy and mentally irrational behavior
Used informally to describe someone whose behavior, thoughts, or actions seem irrational, unpredictable, or excessively strange.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- sane
- rational
- reasonable
- sensible
- clear-headed
- prudent
Examples
- His wacko behavior during the meeting surprised everyone in the room.
- She came up with a wacko idea that nobody else could understand.
Related Words
- irrationality
- madness
- unpredictability
- instability
- eccentricity
- absurdity
2.2. Absurd and unreasonable ideas
Used to describe theories, proposals, explanations, or beliefs that seem extremely foolish, impractical, bizarre, or disconnected from reasonable thinking.
Synonyms
- crackpot
- harebrained
- foolish
- senseless
- absurd
- ridiculous
- impractical
- ludicrous
- bizarre
- far-fetched
Antonyms
- rational
- sensible
- logical
- reasonable
- practical
- sound
- well-advised
Examples
- The scientist rejected the wacko theory because it had no credible evidence.
- His wacko proposal to build a city underwater seemed completely impractical.
Related Words
- conspiracy
- fallacy
- nonsense
- speculation
- delusion
- improbability