bêtise

noun

bā-ˈtēz How to pronounce bêtise (audio)
Definition of bêtisenext
as in blunder
a foolish act or idea writing a sequel to a Jane Austen novel must be regarded as a literary bêtise of the highest order

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bêtise
  1. blunder
  2. insanity
  3. idiocy
  4. absurdity
  5. folly
  6. stupidity
Noun
  • That doesn’t sound cheap, but thinking any premium means a fund is pricey is another first-level blunder.
    — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • In 2026, Mattel is doubling down and averting any PR blunders with a Holiday Barbie that, by all accounts, looks genuinely gorgeous.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
Definition of blunder
Noun
  • To put my whole psyche, insecurities, anecdotes, family, community, insanity out there in a show in this way.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • Colt did not have any signs of insanity, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, Richards said.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • No one wants the distraction of bizarre and disturbing behavior, of internet idiocy or civil lawsuits.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • And when Torres scored, Fernandez's idiocy only came into greater focus.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of idiocy
Noun
  • Laughter reframes these experiences from tragedy to absurdity, helping individuals push back against negative aging stereotypes.
    — Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • And there’s an absurdity to that scene, which Daeron is feeling just in the shock of it in itself.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 July 2026
Definition of absurdity
Noun
  • But his avuncular encouragement of Tony in what could be absolute folly brings real heart to this section — until calamity intrudes.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
  • Modi’s shock demonetization in India in 2016, which wiped out 86% of India’s currency overnight, was pure Big Player folly.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Definition of folly
Noun
  • That’s only made worse by the fact that it’s treated as some kind of grand betrayal rather than an impulsive act of youthful stupidity that will make for a good story one day.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
  • Condor, Newton and Hiraga do their best to make Max’s actions believable, but her stubborn stupidity eventually requires more suspension of belief than a highly vindictive shark prowling a freshwater cave right next to the ocean.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of stupidity
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.

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betimes
bêtise
bêtises
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Cite this Entry

“Bêtise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/b%C3%AAtise. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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