inanity

noun

inan·​i·​ty i-ˈna-nə-tē 

plural inanities

1

: the quality or state of being inane: such as

a

: vapid, pointless, or fatuous character : shallowness

b

: lack of substance : emptiness

2

: something that is inane

Synonyms

• insanity
• idiocy
• absurdity

Examples of inanity in a Sentence

quickly realized that her suggestion was an inanity and withdrew it

the jaw-dropping inanity of the singer's comments on the awards show

Recent Examples on the Web

For the past four years, Honan has been a worm in Adams’s apple, scoring scoop after scoop about the dramas, inanities, and intrigues of his administration. —Eric Lach, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025

The previous sentence illustrates the inanity of my desire. —Michael Robbins, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

Jibber-jabbering inanities, Cranston’s cohorts find a solution: Pour coke down his nose. —Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025

Hacks takes no backseat in its send-up of show biz inanity, but with more heart along the way. —Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inanity

• humanity
• insanity
• profanity
• urbanity
• christianity
• inhumanity
• sanity
• vanity

Kids Definition

inanity

noun

inan·​i·​ty in-ˈan-ət-ē 

plural inanities

1

: the quality or state of being inane

2

: something inane