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
Noun
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For Meta, the problem started with what some industry experts called, in hindsight at least, a strategic blunder.—
Jonathan Vanian,Julia Boorstin,
CNBC,
14 June 2026 -
The Spurs fared well in the closing minute, aside from Fox’s blunder, but the attrition from the Knicks offense spreading them out did them in well before then.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
Noun
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However, what seemed like the perfect life was really a complex house of cards built on lies and insanity.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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Support ballot measures or candidates (not named Steyer) focused on reforming the state’s zoning and regulatory insanity.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
Noun
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That’s the level of idiocy in the Los Angeles city government.—
Susan Shelley,
Daily News,
13 May 2026
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The idiocy of these people knows no bounds.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After Monday’s ruling, social media lit up with criticism for Sorsby regaining eligibility minus the first two games of the 2026 season, while others pointed out the seeming absurdity.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 June 2026
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There was an absurdity to it all that took the edge off the menace.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Organizations that have spent decades pretending that the best way to find a new audience is to alienate your existing one are beginning to realize the cost of their folly.—
Philip Kennicott,
Washington Post,
7 June 2026
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Here, human folly moves against a backdrop of horror and magic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way.—
Ananya Chetia,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
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Don’t just try to be brilliant; focus on avoiding stupidity.—
Nilton Bernini,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bêtise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/b%C3%AAtise. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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