Synonym Chooser

How is the word asinine different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of asinine are fatuous, foolish, silly, and simple. While all these words mean "actually or apparently deficient in intelligence," asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.

an asinine plot

When could fatuous be used to replace asinine?

While the synonyms fatuous and asinine are close in meaning, fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality.

fatuous conspiracy theories

When is foolish a more appropriate choice than asinine?

The meanings of foolish and asinine largely overlap; however, foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense.

foolish stunts

When can silly be used instead of asinine?

The synonyms silly and asinine are sometimes interchangeable, but silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior.

the silly antics of revelers

When would simple be a good substitute for asinine?

In some situations, the words simple and asinine are roughly equivalent. However, simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort.

considered people simple who had trouble with computers

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 asinine All of that would have seemed asinine mere weeks ago. Chad Graff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Speaking of people getting into hot water for saying asinine things, don’t miss Sabrina Impacciatore’s brilliantly inappropriate portrayal of Esmeralda Grande in The Office spin-off/continuation The Paper, which premieres on Peacock on Thursday, September 4. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2025 Featured Presentations Final Destination: Bloodlines Family gatherings can already be a pain, but imagine that pain being asinine deaths that claim everyone one by one. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 17 May 2025 What's worse than luring Robert De Niro to Netflix for a boring, soulless and asinine political thriller? Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025 Alonso may not be the priority at first base for the Bronx Bombers, but to say there is zero interest is asinine. Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 Altman’s is a plainly asinine claim; a bunch of code running in a data center is not the same as a brain. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024 Comedy videos about customer service and asinine Atlanta eatery rules were already popular on TikTok but have seen major pickup since Lee’s viral videos. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2023 Rogozin's claim that the only evidence Roscosmos could offer of the Moon landings was a book by Leonov is asinine. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 8 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asinine
Adjective
  • And that’s a stupid, dumb, mindless question.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Dessert Week is the stupidest week, at least conceptually.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The film’s ever-so-slightly absurd sincerity is nothing if not brazen.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Conceptions of world geography at the time were faulty to an almost absurd extent, Bergreen said.
    Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Go through a corn maze, sip on apple cider, and take silly pictures with the cardboard cutouts.
    Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
  • This separation keeps parents' Discover Weekly and Wrapped playlists clean from unexpected surprises like a sudden obsession with gaming soundtracks or silly meme songs.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The offer valued Alchemize at $2 million, well below Nazareth’s goal, but investor Daymond John suggested the founder would be foolish to walk away from a chance to partner with three Sharks.
    Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important.
    Yolande Clark-Jackson, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sanity phase of his trial began Thursday to determine whether Nicholson was legally insane at the time of the murders.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This lockdown is insane & disturbing with what happened during our investigation.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In Johnston’s reimagining, Jim and Credenza Twit operate the most disgusting, dangerous, and idiotic amusement park in the world, Twitlandia.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
  • That’s just idiotic foreign policy.
    Jamie McIntyre, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • People were making all these crazy comments.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers are only a few wins away from winning back-to-back titles despite the crazy year the team has had.
    Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After 55 years based in Munich, ISPO, one of the world’s largest sporting goods trade fairs and an annual fixture in the sports-mad German city, is moving out.
    Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Elordi's version of the mad scientist's monster boasts pale skin covered in scars, an alarming absence of eyebrows, and ratty dark hair extending past his shoulders.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Asinine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asinine. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on asinine

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