foolish

adjective

fool·​ish ˈfü-lish 

1

: having or showing a lack of good sense, judgment, or discretion

a foolish mistake

She takes foolish risks.

2

a

: absurd, ridiculous

He looked foolish in that hat.

b

: marked by a loss of composure : nonplussed

He felt foolish when he couldn't remember where he had parked the car.

3

: insignificant, trifling

foolishly adverb

Synonyms of foolish

• stupid
• silly
• absurd
• mad
• insane
• crazy
• idiotic
• fool
• irrational
• dumb

Choose the Right Synonym for foolish

simple, foolish, silly, fatuous, asinine mean actually or apparently deficient in intelligence.

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 implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense.

foolish stunts

silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior.

the silly antics of revelers

fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality.

fatuous conspiracy theories

asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.

an asinine plot

Examples of foolish in a Sentence

He was wearing a foolish grin.

She's been taking foolish risks.

Those flashy clothes make her look foolish.

She must feel foolish wearing those flashy clothes.

I never thought you'd be foolish enough to believe him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of simply challenging the more foolish of those woke policies, our federal and state governments seem hell bent on obliterating any activity that even hints of DEI. —Maurice O'Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026

This kind of talk is also politically foolish and risks alienating the many Americans who already distrust this war. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Hoping for one last big shake-up in the Oscars race from the WGA was always going to be foolish. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026

Carden gets to be more overtly funny as the live-wire Vicki, making her foolish, but usually foolish in a way that’s grounded in her youthful damage. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see fool entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foolish

• penny-wise and/but pound-foolish
• pound-foolish

Rhymes for foolish

• ghoulish

Kids Definition

foolish

adjective

fool·​ish ˈfü-lish 

: lacking in good sense or judgment : silly

foolishly adverb

foolishness noun