Entry Word: folly

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a foolish act or idea <the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly>

Synonyms absurdity, asininity, fatuity, foolery, idiocy, imbecility, inanity, insanity, lunacy, stupidity

Related Words absurdness, craziness, foolishness, madness, senselessness, witlessness; monkeyshine(s), shenanigans, tomfoolery; drivel, humbug, nonsense, twaddle; blunder, bungle, flub, goof, howler

Near Antonyms discretion, forethought, prudence, sagacity, wisdom; brainstorm, inspiration

2 lack of good sense or judgment <in all my folly, I didn't think about how my actions would hurt my father> — see foolishness 1
3 language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense <enough of this folly about moving to the North Pole> — see nonsense 1