FOOLISH Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'foolish' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of foolish are asinine , fatuous , silly , and simple . While all these words mean "actually or apparently deficient in intelligence," foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense. // foolish stunts

Q: Where would 'asinine' be a reasonable alternative to 'foolish'?

The words asinine and foolish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception. // an asinine plot

Q: When could 'fatuous' be used to replace 'foolish'?

The words fatuous and foolish can be used in similar contexts, but fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality. // fatuous conspiracy theories

Q: When is it sensible to use 'silly' instead of 'foolish'?

Although the words silly and foolish have much in common, silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior. // the silly antics of revelers

Q: When is 'simple' a more appropriate choice than 'foolish'?

The meanings of simple and foolish largely overlap; however, simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort. // considered people simple who had trouble with computers

foolish

adjective

ˈfü-lish

Definition of foolish next

as in stupid

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment foolish people who thought that the world would end in the year 2000 a foolish scheme that was supposed to make us all rich

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in absurd

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality foolish attempts to construct a perpetual motion machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

lacking importance the current regulations are cluttered with foolish details that are unnecessarily burdensome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of foolish are asinine, fatuous, silly, and simple. While all these words mean "actually or apparently deficient in intelligence," foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense.

foolish stunts

Where would asinine be a reasonable alternative to foolish?

The words asinine and foolish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.

an asinine plot

When could fatuous be used to replace foolish?

The words fatuous and foolish can be used in similar contexts, but fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality.

fatuous conspiracy theories

When is it sensible to use silly instead of foolish?

Although the words silly and foolish have much in common, silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior.

the silly antics of revelers

When is simple a more appropriate choice than foolish?

The meanings of simple and foolish largely overlap; however, simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort.

considered people simple who had trouble with computers

Examples of foolish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Shaul Magid, a professor of modern Judaism at Harvard, found the magazine’s position foolish but generationally understandable. —

Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024 The alternative would have been to pitch camp, but with one plane down, a storm approaching and windchills already taking the temperature well below zero on this late September day, that seemed like a foolish idea. —

Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2024 And especially the Supreme Court, which progressives, in agitation of astonishing shortsightedness, have been trying to delegitimize with, for example, solemn hand-wringing about a justice’s spouse doing something foolish with a flag. —

George F. Will, Washington Post, 15 July 2024 Southeast Asia would be foolish to allow its ties to the United States to fray. —

Lynn Kuok, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for foolish

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foolish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.