Definition of asininenext

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 That these sayings are meant to reflect something both deep and asinine about the film itself is self-evident. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026 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 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
  • Doxxing is just a form of stupid bullying, not free speech.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Healey must think ratepayers – who are burdened with some of the highest energy costs in the country – are pretty stupid and simple minded.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • As usual, human progress gets the sublimely absurd Herzogian treatment, with modern and primordial sights and sounds becoming whole.
    Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
  • But the idea of using one for multiple hours every day, or of trying to socialize in real life while the people around me try to meet my digital avatar’s dead eyes, is absurd.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The manic, madcap, chaotic and silly stunt show was heavy on exposition to the delight of the fans who cheered the entrance of every One Piece character and laughed at the downfall of paper-thin goon.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
  • And so a very silly conversation leads to a series of positions that are far from frivolous.
    Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Until recently, history has largely recognized this foolish law as a New Deal mistake.
    Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Little purple blossoms appearing on my lawn mean my jacaranda tree will soon be in bloom, leaving its sticky remnants all over the sidewalk, lawn and anyone foolish enough to park underneath it.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Categorizing the plunge pool as TIO for something like a charity scramble or regular public play would be one thing, but to do so in a major championship with a purse of $9 million seems fundamentally wrong and also insane.
    Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The reception to your performance in the Rusical was insane.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Time to rethink this ceremonial crazy building.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Then came the part that somehow sounds even crazier.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Even those on the right who find Groypers idiotic actually echo many of their political positions.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • That idiotic comment should exclude him from being granted a place to air his views.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In the annals of English football, this shoots close to the top of the list of ridiculous moments, along with Troy Deeney’s mad goal for Watford in the Championship play-offs in 2013 and Sergio Aguero’s Premier League title-winning strike for Manchester City in 2012.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Here's our list of the five best space prison movies (in no particular order, don't get mad at the numbers).
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Asinine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asinine. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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