1
as in insanity
lack of good sense or judgment
the foolishness of going off to search for the fountain of youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
couldn't listen to another second of their foolishness, so I told them to be quiet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stupidness
the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind
you didn't fail the test because of any innate foolishness but because of a lack of preparation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foolishness
The problem is not the companies but the system, whose foolishness is very clear to those, like me, who have spent decades abroad.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
The Lakers were, again, the Lakers — the version from early this season that made optimism seem nothing like foolishness.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
After being laid off from the local hot dog factory and being inducted into a new basic income program, Mark and Hank have plenty of time on their hands to spend their $3,000 monthly checks on high jinks and foolishness.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024
Five glorious days for Chiles, who already had been made to endure the rollercoaster of gymnastics rule foolishness.
—Dana O'Neil, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for foolishness
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
The Lakers were, again, the Lakers — the version from early this season that made optimism seem nothing like foolishness.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
After being laid off from the local hot dog factory and being inducted into a new basic income program, Mark and Hank have plenty of time on their hands to spend their $3,000 monthly checks on high jinks and foolishness.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024
Five glorious days for Chiles, who already had been made to endure the rollercoaster of gymnastics rule foolishness.
—Dana O'Neil, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for foolishness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolishness
Noun
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Despite his confession, Moseley pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at the trial for Kitty's slaying.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
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Smith’s attorneys argued that he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, records show.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Describing the plot as utter nonsense would both be 100 percent correct and likely taken as a massive compliment for all involved.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Mar. 2025
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For Guy, using systems like Kibbe’s to guide your dress choices can mean making nonsense out of your clothes’ cultural grammar, especially in the rigidly codified world of menswear.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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So, which teams have a chance to jump in the seedings, and which are concerned with making the road ahead more difficult when the madness begins?—
Tyler Small,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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The madness begins early this week in Nashville when the 2025 SEC Tournament kicks off with a battle between the No. 16 South Carolina Gamecocks and the No. 9 Arkansas Razorbacks.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Beausoleil makes that claim, and argues that stupidity and self-preservation is also a sound reason for the Manson murders.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
7 Mar. 2025
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Brooks – an author of books on the human condition -- is careful to delineate stupidity from intelligence.—
John Baldoni,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Antarctic ice sheet, which covers 98% of the continent, averages around 1.2 miles in thickness, with its thickest point reaching nearly 3 miles, the Australian Antarctic Program reports.—
Doyle Rice,
USA TODAY,
14 Mar. 2025
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While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.—
Siena Gagliano,
Allure,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But the simplicity of the sequence of events — Smith’s shot perfectly careening off the side of the rim and Şengün’s subsequent positioning for the putback — was indicative of Houston’s rebounding prowess.—
Kelly Iko,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
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These businesses are hard to find in an increasingly complex world, but Munger recognized that simplicity wins.—
Steve Booren,
The Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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An opening scene lays out the grotesque absurdity of the situation, as office manager Joy (Christiane Paul) delineates between culinary content and animal abuse in a meeting.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
9 Mar. 2025
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The recent launch of Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed $TRUMP meme coin, which appeared to be an attempt to capitalize on his second inauguration, only reinforced the absurdity of this trend.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The property also grows its own herbs, greens, nuts, berries, and edible flowers.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Focus on whole foods like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
5 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to foolishness
Cite this Entry
“Foolishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolishness. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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