1
as in stupidness
the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind
the stupidity of the dialogue between the two romantic leads had movie audiences giggling uncontrollably
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the succession of stupidities by the company's owners was bound to result in bankruptcy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
leaving her bags unguarded inside the airport terminal was nothing but stupidity on her part
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stupidity
As to the famous fine line between stupid and clever, the stupidity and the cleverness are all but inextricable, and to the point.
—
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Michelangelo’s response was to place the face of Biagio on Minos, the judge of the underworld, and give him donkey’s ears, symbolizing stupidity.
—Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
Which is much worse than plain old stupidity.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
According to Cipolla, stupidity is defined entirely by the effects of an action or decision.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stupidity
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Michelangelo’s response was to place the face of Biagio on Minos, the judge of the underworld, and give him donkey’s ears, symbolizing stupidity.
—Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
Which is much worse than plain old stupidity.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
According to Cipolla, stupidity is defined entirely by the effects of an action or decision.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stupidity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupidity
Noun
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In this world, at this time, a little insanity can go a long way.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Kennedy calls fortification ‘insanity’ That view contrasts sharply with critics — including some at the highest level of government — who regard fortification of the food supply as a form of government overreach.—
Jonel Aleccia,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Anthony’s tolerance for nonsense is clear on Day One, when he high-fives Kevin for planning to propose to a co-worker in front of the entire staff.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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That is when Harbaugh will be able to crystallize for players like Cam Skattebo that football is the priority, and any outside nonsense that distracts from the goal of winning games is not going to be tolerated anymore.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Drawing at least in part on information from Chalker’s defectors, the Pentagon constructed life-size underground facsimiles of Iranian nuclear facilities where the scientists had worked, attempting to duplicate even the thickness of the walls.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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The exact figure, of course, depends on the liquid’s viscosity (thickness).—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There’s a heartwarming idiocy to their pursuit, yet what festers underneath is their inability to process grief consciously and the fear that those who deem their existence meaningless might be right.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Gunther and Tig are two billionaire failsons who have wasted countless opportunities and cash chasing the stupidest ideas and who get rewarded over and over again for their idiocy.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Audiences can take in two shows, with lots of silliness and some heart.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2026
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Various clips are making the rounds on social media where Chiefs fans are enjoying seeing Jones’ latest silliness.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Unlike its sibling concepts of dumbness and idiocy, stupidity isn’t really a personality trait.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
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Compare that to punk rock, which used dumbness as a tactic.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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All of this readily registers on Barry’s Dada-absurdity meter.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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What the Meme Revealed About Surgical Technology Beneath the absurdity, the grape videos demonstrated real capabilities.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Richter and Henke said the best way to avoid confrontations with coyotes is to eliminate food sources, whether by not feeding them directly, bringing pet food indoors or securing garbage.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
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No matter how advanced the algorithm, garbage data in means garbage results out, just with a more polished interface.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupidity. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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