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
  • The history of translation is full of cautionary tales, from literary blunders to famously mistranslated video games.
    — Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 23 July 2026
  • But the show’s episodic structure actually softens the impact of these blunders.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 July 2026
Definition of blunder
Noun
  • Colt did not have any signs of insanity, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, Richards said.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • This case involved a client who, after years of competency litigation, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state forensic hospital.
    — Schnelle Tonge, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • And when Torres scored, Fernandez's idiocy only came into greater focus.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • My favorite thing in the world to watch or try to do is somebody who has full confidence in their idiocy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of idiocy
Noun
  • All of this absurdity is underscored by the fact that James chose the Sixers.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • All sorts of factors—religious fervor, drug trips, the absurdities of aging—an unmoor a person’s mind and spirit.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of absurdity
Noun
  • The wall is a folly, in both the architectural and regular sense of the word.
    — Matt Seaton, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
  • Edwards’s own version of a European-style parterre is built around a fountain and a decorative wood structure known as a folly, built and installed by Spearhead.
    — Myles McDonnell, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026
Definition of folly
Noun
  • The stupidity and greed of the status quo threatens to drive her insane.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026
  • His eventual dismissal in second-half stoppage time was an exercise in rash stupidity, crashing through Spain’s teenage center back Pau Cubarsi.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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 30 Jul. 2026.

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