crackpot

[krak-pot]

noun

1. a person who is eccentric, unrealistic, or fanatical.

adjective

1. eccentric; impractical; fanatical.

   crackpot ideas.

crackpot

/ ˈkrækˌpɒt /

noun

1. an eccentric person; crank

adjective

1. (usually prenominal) eccentric; crazy

Word History and Origins

Origin of crackpot¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from the phrase cracked pot

Example Sentences

“I’ve learned my lesson. No more wooing rich widows for me! No more crackpot schemes about ostrich racing! I’ll stick to good honest ballooning from now on.”

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, essentially for putting her own professional integrity and commitment to public service above crackpot directives from a cabal of vaccine skeptics.

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He said crackpot theories have found oxygen in historical amnesia: “If there’s no motive, they can promote their idea that he was just an innocent patsy.”

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An anti-vax crackpot is in charge of the nation’s healthcare and medical research system.

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O’Hara is more drawn to the plot puzzles that have encouraged interpreters to weigh in with their own crackpot notions.

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