He is a mutton-headed old mugwump.
Source: tatoeba (6043118)
Mugwump
/ˈmʌɡwʌmp/
Synonyms for "mugwump" (83 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (17)
anythingarianapostatebacksliderbackwardnessbig boybig chiefbig shotbigwigboltercollaborationistcollaboratorconvertdefectordeserterdilatorinessfabian policyfat cat
Strong matches (25)
fence-sitterfifth columnistfree lancefree spiritfree traderfreethinkerheavyweighthesitationhigh-muck-a-muckhold-offindependentindividualistisolationistjellyfishlatitudinarianlaxnessleaderliberallibertarianlibertine
Show 3 more words
Noun(2 words)
Related words (41)
nabobneuterneutralnonpartisannotablenothingarianprocrastinationproselytequislingrecidivistrecreantremissnessrenegaderenegadorenegatereversionistrugged individualistrunagateschismaticseceder
Show 21 more words
secessionistseparatistshilly-shallyslacknessslownessstallstrikebreakerswing votetemporizationtergiversanttergiversatorthird forcethird worldtraitorturnaboutturncoatturntailuncommitted voterwavererweaklingwobbler
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: anythingarian, apostate, backslider, backwardness, big boy.
- Sentence evidence is available for mugwump, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, wordnet.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "mugwump".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "mugwump"
Keep "mugwump" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "mugwump" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "mugwump", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "mugwump" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
5 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
The story of the capture of Vicksburg is the old, old story of failure turned into success, by which man is made immortal. It involves the history of a general who never retraced his steps, who cared neither for mugwump murmurs nor political cabals, who took both blame and praise with equanimity.
Source: wiktionary
After them came the politician, who said there was only one purpose in Nature, and that was to get him into parliament. I told him I did not care whether he got into parliament or not; so he called me Mugwump and went his way.
Source: wiktionary
Anthea hasn't a notion in her head but to vamp a lot of silly mugwumps. She's set her heart on that tennis bloke [...] whom the papers are making such a fuss about.
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "mugwump"?
Closest matches include anythingarian, apostate, backslider, backwardness, big boy.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "mugwump"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.