1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in madness
lack of good sense or judgment
in all my folly, I didn't think about how my actions would hurt my father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
enough of this folly about moving to the Australian outback
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of folly
Here, human folly moves against a backdrop of horror and magic.
—
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
According to Sosnick, investors today may be too focused on companies’ rosy short-term guidance and assuming the good times will last — one of the many follies of those who got burned in 2000.
—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Now spring's bounty is looking more like spring's folly this year for Simmons and other orchards across the state.
—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
This might seem like an overreaction, but Gator fans have had to endure these subtle shots all offseason, culminating in the brutal USA Today fluff piece defending Napier's follies in Gainesville.
—
Austin Perry Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
According to Sosnick, investors today may be too focused on companies’ rosy short-term guidance and assuming the good times will last — one of the many follies of those who got burned in 2000.
—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Now spring's bounty is looking more like spring's folly this year for Simmons and other orchards across the state.
—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
This might seem like an overreaction, but Gator fans have had to endure these subtle shots all offseason, culminating in the brutal USA Today fluff piece defending Napier's follies in Gainesville.
—
Austin Perry Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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Bland was obsessed with religion, but that did not amount to insanity, the prosecutor argued.
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Part of what drew him to the case, Burton said, was that many of the issues relevant then are still relevant today, like the death penalty, the use of the insanity defense, parole and rehabilitation.
Noun
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Is this just a salary dump, or is there a method to the madness for the Wolves?
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Welcome to the Amazon Prime Day 2026 madness!
Noun
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Not only is that nonsense, but Israel took this into account.
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Get outta here with that nonsense.
Noun
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And yet the absurdity didn’t stop there.
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At a time when the average new vehicle transaction price continues marching toward absurdity (roughly $51,000 now), that affordability matters.
Noun
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Light and Breezy One of the many virtues of the ’60s shift is its simplicity.
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The collection expressed an idea of contemporary simplicity, built through precise proportions, evolved materials and a new visual lightness.
Noun
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Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way.
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Don’t just try to be brilliant; focus on avoiding stupidity.
Noun
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That’s the level of idiocy in the Los Angeles city government.
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The idiocy of these people knows no bounds.
Noun
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Any larger Hollywood studio would have likely insisted on a grander finale, but The Death of Robin Hood, produced by A24, left me pondering the foolishness of my need for such a denouement.
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The popular Instagram page @touronsofnationalparks is known for spotlighting the foolishness of people in national parks.
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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