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
Republicans also know how unpopular — like, really unpopular — Trump’s Greenland folly has been.
—
S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Here the glory is threaded with human folly.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
Reflexively siding with or against law enforcement is folly.
—Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2026
This is a scrapbook of utopian folly, yes, but also an insider’s look at what was, for a time, the wildest workplace on Earth.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Here the glory is threaded with human folly.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
Reflexively siding with or against law enforcement is folly.
—Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2026
This is a scrapbook of utopian folly, yes, but also an insider’s look at what was, for a time, the wildest workplace on Earth.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
-
The insanity of the transfer portal.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Here’s a few facts about those involved in the insanity.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There are, however, some relevant differences between the situations of our two oldest presidents, likely reflective of the differences between senility and madness.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Her characters often demonstrated how quickly and seamlessly a cyclone of cheerful mannerisms could morph into a wailing typhoon of uncorked madness.—
Merrill Markoe,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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No gimmicks, no nonsense, straight shooter, the woman who gets things done.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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This was the nonsense that was going on here last week, just like every week.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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She’s built a career on candid takes about relationships, work and the absurdities of everyday life, delivered with her trademark mix of bluntness and charm.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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The extended version gives the characters room to deepen their over-the-top backstory while leaning further into spectacle and absurdity.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Warm minimalism blends simplicity with warm neutrals and natural materials to feel more inviting.—
Erica Puisis,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
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This year, that simplicity may see a resurgence.—
Heather Bien,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Huw just spazzes out most of the time, and Patrick is incredibly transparent and succeeds more because of luck and the stupidity of others rather than his own intellect.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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My love of the theater and my love of the people who dedicate their life to creativity and the kind of highs and lows of that life, and the silliness and stupidity of that life, and the moments of elegiac grace.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Harry and Finis refused to play Jack Donahoe’s game of commenting on every idiocy that came across their desks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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Telling the story of the clashing egos and raging idiocy of the fictional Spinal Tap, Reiner both directed and starred as the filmmaker-within-the-film Marty DiBergi.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Navarro devoted a chapter to the seductive foolishness of protectionist trade policies.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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The captain of the boat Zoë and Sarah came on watches them from afar, shaking his head at English foolishness.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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