1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in madness
lack of good sense or judgment
in all my folly, I didn't think about how my actions would hurt my father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
enough of this folly about moving to the Australian outback
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of folly
The restorative nature of Brighton & Hove Albion’s late comeback win against West Ham highlighted the influence of Lewis Dunk and the folly of writing off the club’s long-serving captain.
—
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The ascendance of performative politics represents perhaps the starkest example of the folly described in Kerr's framework.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Its pervasive humor flows from an intimate observation of human folly.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2025
These can be reduced with agreements to give credit for taxes paid in earlier steps, but still is the height of folly.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The ascendance of performative politics represents perhaps the starkest example of the folly described in Kerr's framework.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Its pervasive humor flows from an intimate observation of human folly.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2025
These can be reduced with agreements to give credit for taxes paid in earlier steps, but still is the height of folly.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
-
As part of an agreement between defense and prosecuting attorneys, 35-year-old Bryson Levy was found not guilty by reason of insanity on Feb. 4.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 May 2025
-
Dominguez has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to the stabbings two years ago that killed David Breaux, 50, and Karim Abou Najm, 20, as well as the near-fatal attack on Guillory.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
And, last weekend, in the midst of Met Gala madness, the four iconic artist-entrepreneurs were reunited at the show’s 20th anniversary.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
14 May 2025
-
In some Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, dementia was historically associated with madness or idiocy.—
Marion Renault,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Everyone will be there — except Lydia, who Joseph dispatches on a nonsense errand to D.C.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
-
The sequel has more glamour, more trouble and maybe a bit too much nonsense 1 Comments The first Simple Favor, from 2018, was a playful, shallow mystery most notable for casting the lovely, languid Blake Lively as a cynical, devious clothes horse named Emily Nelson.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Part of what makes Robinson’s Netflix show so consistently hilarious is the way his characters double down on the wrong reaction, turn minor fixations into all-consuming obsessions, escalate their anger to overthrow a situation’s over-the-top absurdity.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2025
-
Travel & Experiences First look: Universal’s Epic Universe gives Disney theme parks a run for their money April 9, 2025 There’s occasionally an absurdity in interactive fiction.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
The simplicity of pressure washing leads many to dismiss it as a side hustle rather than a scalable business.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
For minimalist interior designers, there’s beauty in simplicity and restraint.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Tiny terror is unleashed in this mini alien apocalypse as directors Robert Bisi and Andy Lyon pay loving tribute to classic sci-fi stories of alien invasion and human stupidity using tilt-shift techniques that make the end of the world look almost cute.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Wodehouse had displayed nothing worse than the stupidity of the innocent.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
From physical fights to is-he-or-isn’t-he paternity test foolishness and now revenge p-rn, the storylines can get out of control.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The Adams case is not the only one that will bring the foolishness of this directive into sharp relief.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Use it to find and retrieve stray nuts or bolts in any crevice.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, kale and asparagus are also included in most low-carb diets—as are eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt and nuts like walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts and pistachios.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share