1
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily the fatuous questions that the audience members asked after the lecture suggested to the oceanographer that they had understood little

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word fatuous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fatuous are asinine, foolish, silly, and simple. While all these words mean "actually or apparently deficient in intelligence," fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality.

fatuous conspiracy theories

When is it sensible to use asinine instead of fatuous?

In some situations, the words asinine and fatuous are roughly equivalent. However, asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.

an asinine plot

When is foolish a more appropriate choice than fatuous?

Although the words foolish and fatuous have much in common, foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense.

foolish stunts

When would silly be a good substitute for fatuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to fatuous, silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior.

the silly antics of revelers

When might simple be a better fit than fatuous?

The words simple and fatuous can be used in similar contexts, but simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort.

considered people simple who had trouble with computers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fatuous Second, this rationale for regulation proved to be illogical and fatuous as conceded by U.S. Courts and the Federal Communications Commission in the decades since. Carine Harb, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 This fatuous facial gesture is immediately relatable but also, as Locke discusses below, one that can be read in a number of different ways. Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Schools must accept that mission statements without curriculum alignment are fatuous; the way schools define themselves is through the experience that flows from their curriculum. Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 Neither Berlanti nor Gilroy believe in them beyond the fatuous setup of their competitiveness with each other. Armond White, National Review, 17 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for fatuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatuous
Adjective
  • And that’s a stupid, dumb, mindless question.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Dessert Week is the stupidest week, at least conceptually.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The film’s ever-so-slightly absurd sincerity is nothing if not brazen.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Conceptions of world geography at the time were faulty to an almost absurd extent, Bergreen said.
    Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And that’s a stupid, dumb, mindless question.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
  • On TikTok, as The Washington Post has reported, some creators are making $5,000 a month using AI tools to write scripts and animate extremely dumb viral videos where old men talk about soiling themselves.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The offer valued Alchemize at $2 million, well below Nazareth’s goal, but investor Daymond John suggested the founder would be foolish to walk away from a chance to partner with three Sharks.
    Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important.
    Yolande Clark-Jackson, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Those taking GLP-1s showed a slower rise in breath alcohol during the first 10 to 20 minutes and lower overall levels throughout.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers highlighted the current challenges for OCTOID, including slow thermal response and potential fatigue of CLCEs, and the weight of nichrome wires limiting flexibility.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Go through a corn maze, sip on apple cider, and take silly pictures with the cardboard cutouts.
    Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
  • This separation keeps parents' Discover Weekly and Wrapped playlists clean from unexpected surprises like a sudden obsession with gaming soundtracks or silly meme songs.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While House Republicans can pass legislation with a simple majority vote, Senate Republicans cannot advance most matters without meeting a 60-vote threshold.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sanity phase of his trial began Thursday to determine whether Nicholson was legally insane at the time of the murders.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This lockdown is insane & disturbing with what happened during our investigation.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fatuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatuous. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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