1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of folly
The Spirit Airlines saga highlights the folly of government industrial policy — whether promoted by Democrats or the current president.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
The axiom of choice demonstrates the folly of believing that mathematical axioms are self-evident or obvious.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Other states have realized the folly of their own nuclear moratoria in recent years.
—Paige Lambermont, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
After Fuqua does interesting work sowing seeds of folly amid the star’s glorious rise, the movie gives up and turns to total sanctification.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
The axiom of choice demonstrates the folly of believing that mathematical axioms are self-evident or obvious.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Other states have realized the folly of their own nuclear moratoria in recent years.
—Paige Lambermont, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
After Fuqua does interesting work sowing seeds of folly amid the star’s glorious rise, the movie gives up and turns to total sanctification.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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Adair Fish pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on May 4, a spokesperson with the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said.—
Laura Bauer
June 2,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
-
The Dutchman pleaded guilty to the murder charges, claiming temporary insanity.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
As the saying goes, there is no great genius without some touch of madness.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Some families came from beyond the KC area to catch the banana madness.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2026
Noun
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That’s the prayerful explanation for the nonsense that spouted this week from the leaders of a football conference that hopes to grow up and be the Big Ten someday.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Let’s see if the Pomona Unified School District, which pays thousands of dollars to support its schools’ athletic program, is going to act and stop this nonsense.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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But consider the absurdity of applying that logic to human beings.—
Ion Stoica,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
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For all of Titanique's camp absurdity, the show's internal logic is airtight.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
Noun
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The project posed several issues for an artist who had always emphasized clarity and simplicity in his solitary picture-taking.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Baoase is also transporting, as any memorable hotel should be, with a strong Asian-esque design that includes ubiquitous Balinese Hindu statues, idols, and sculptures, and a reliance on simplicity over dazzle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Nobody doggedly builds a stand-up career that takes them from clubs to theaters to selling out arena tours from a foundation of genuine stupidity.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
-
And not just because one of the leading contestants torched himself and his political livelihood in a bonfire of hubris and stupidity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s the level of idiocy in the Los Angeles city government.—
Susan Shelley,
Daily News,
13 May 2026
-
The idiocy of these people knows no bounds.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And in this age of ever-rising electric bills, power-hungry data centers and global unrest, Floridians need leaders who will ditch the foolishness and get serious about lowering energy costs.—
David Jenkins,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
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Still, foolishness can sometimes bring good results; there are good results here, and some less than good.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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