What is another word for weathercock?

Pronunciation: [wˈɛðəkˌɒk] (IPA)

The word weathercock is an idiom that generally refers to someone who is easily swayed by the opinions of others or the changing circumstances around them. However, there are several synonyms for this word such as turncoat, opportunist, flip-flopper, and fair-weather friend. A turncoat is someone who changes sides or loyalties frequently, while an opportunist is someone who takes advantage of situations for their own benefit. A flip-flopper is someone who frequently changes their opinions or positions on an issue, and a fair-weather friend is someone who is only loyal when times are good. All these words can be used as substitutes based on the context in which the term is used.

What are the hypernyms for Weathercock?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the hyponyms for Weathercock?

Hyponyms are more specific words categorized under a broader term, known as a hypernym.

Usage examples for Weathercock

It chanced that the weathercock of his church had become loose, and the masons rather shrank from the risk of going up to secure it.
"Climbing in The British Isles. Vol. 1 - England"
W. P. Haskett Smith
You are a count, you are rich; the little woman is a flirt of the first order; she whirled about like a weathercock.
"Monsieur Cherami"
Charles Paul de Kock
Suddenly, as he looked, the steeple of the cathedral tottered, and down fell its weathercock and two of its pinnacles, and half the chimneys of the town snapped off their tops.
"Moonshine & Clover"
Laurence Housman

Famous quotes with Weathercock

  • As long as words a different sense will bear, And each may be his own interpreter, Our airy faith will no foundation find; The word's a weathercock for every wind.
    John Dryden
  • To modern educated people, it seems obvious that matters of fact are to be ascertained by observation, not by consulting ancient authorities. But this is an entirely modern conception, which hardly existed before the seventeenth century. Aristotle maintained that women have fewer teeth than men; although he was twice married, it never occurred to him to verify this statement by examining his wives' mouths. He said also that children would be healthier if conceived when the wind is in the north. One gathers that the two Mrs. Aristotles both had to run out and look at the weathercock every evening before going to bed. He states that a man bitten by a mad dog will not go mad, but any other animal will (Hiss. Am., 704a); that the bite of the shrewmouse is dangerous to horses, especially if the mouse is pregnant (ibid., 604b); that elephants suffering from insomnia can be cured by rubbing their shoulders with salt, olive oil, and warm water (ibid., 605a); and so on and so on. Nevertheless, classical dons, who have never observed any animal except the cat and the dog, continue to praise Aristotle for his fidelity to observation.
    Aristotle

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