Synonyms for know-nothings


Grammar : Noun
Spell : noh-nuhth-ing
Phonetic Transcription : ˈnoʊˌnʌθ ɪŋ


Définition of know-nothings

Origin :
  • "ignoramus," 1827, from know + nothing. As a U.S. nativist political party, active 1853-56, the name refers to the secret society at the core of the party, about which members were instructed to answer, if asked about it, that they "know nothing." The party eventually merged into the Republican Party.
  • As in ignoramus : noun simpleton
Example sentences :
  • A secret society, also political, was formed here, known as the Know-Nothings.
  • Extract from : « Mysticism and its Results » by John Delafield
  • What do you mean, you know-nothings, by flattening the sail like that?
  • Extract from : « The Rover's Secret » by Harry Collingwood
  • They were also called the Know-Nothings, that's what they always said.
  • Extract from : « Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States » by Work Projects Administration
  • The Know-Nothings, likewise, though their number had been steadily melting away, had not entirely disappeared.
  • Extract from : « Abraham Lincoln and the Union » by Nathaniel W. Stephenson
  • The campaign was a crucial one, and the Know-Nothings never recovered from their defeat.
  • Extract from : « Stephen Arnold Douglas » by William Garrott Brown
  • Mr. Toombs plunged at once into the canvass and proceeded, in his own vigorous way, to fight the Know-nothings.
  • Extract from : « Robert Toombs » by Pleasant A. Stovall
  • As a part of the history of the times, it may be proper to give the rise and progress of the so-called order of "Know-Nothings."
  • Extract from : « Mysticism and its Results » by John Delafield
  • But there is a party lately come into the field, and called the Know-nothings, which requires a special notice.
  • Extract from : « Lands of the Slave and the Free » by Henry A. Murray
  • The Know-nothings arose and disappeared, without accomplishing anything.
  • Extract from : « Children of the Market Place » by Edgar Lee Masters
  • The Americans or Know-Nothings everywhere put out in 1854 full tickets and showed at once surprising strength.
  • Extract from : « The Abolition Crusade and Its Consequences » by Hilary Abner Herbert

Antonyms for know-nothings

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019