stupidity

noun

stu·​pid·​i·​ty stu̇-ˈpi-də-tē 

styu̇-

plural stupidities

1

: the quality or state of being stupid

2

: a stupid idea or act

Synonyms of stupidity

• stupidness
• thickness
• dumbness
• obtuseness
• foolishness
• slowness
• dullness
• mindlessness
• insanity
• boneheadedness
• density
• oafishness

Examples of stupidity in a Sentence

I was shocked by the stupidity of their decision.

the stupidity of the dialogue between the two romantic leads had movie audiences giggling uncontrollably

Recent Examples on the Web

My love of the theater and my love of the people who dedicate their life to creativity and the kind of highs and lows of that life, and the silliness and stupidity of that life, and the moments of elegiac grace. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

History suggests that the proficient cruelty of such regimes is unable to compensate for the stupidity and incompetence of their cadres. —Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026

When goals are unclear, data are incomplete, incentives are misaligned, or consequences are irreversible, deliberate thinking remains the only reliable hedge against confident stupidity. —Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026

So please excuse my ignorance and stupidity here, but. —Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stupidity

• acidity
• aridity
• avidity
• cupidity
• fluidity
• humidity
• liquidity
• lucidity
• morbidity
• placidity
• rancidity
• rapidity

Kids Definition

stupidity

noun

stu·​pid·​i·​ty st(y)u̇-ˈpid-ət-ē 

plural stupidities

1

: the quality or state of being stupid

2

: something (as an idea or act) that is stupid