useful idiot
Americannoun
-
useful idiots
plural
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The judge, Mr Justice Garnham, described Lavrynovych as a "useful idiot" who could be easily manipulated.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
Now, most anyone who helped themselves to an extra Thanksgiving serving of Big Tech probably feels like a useful idiot.
From Barron's ● Dec. 17, 2025
Her conclusion was startling, her tone defiant: “Put me wherever you want: misguided socialist, toothless humanist, naïve novelist, useful idiot, apologist, denier, ally, contrarian, collaborator, traitor, inexcusable coward.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2025
This type of asset is sometimes called a dupe or a useful idiot.
From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2025
He was a most intelligent and useful idiot.
From Round the Block by John Bell Bouton
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
