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
No-budget filmmaking is an especially American folly-slash-miracle, the dreams of the anonymous cauldroned in backyards and basements in hopes of acknowledgement.
—
Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
But controlling the weather, at least as Irving Langmuir envisioned it, was just plain folly.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
The dam should be left as a monument and memorial to the folly and damage that the incomplete Barge Canal caused.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Implying, as some Democrats seem to be doing, that the elimination of a foreign administration committed to terrorism might be unjustified or wrong is political folly.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
But controlling the weather, at least as Irving Langmuir envisioned it, was just plain folly.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
The dam should be left as a monument and memorial to the folly and damage that the incomplete Barge Canal caused.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Implying, as some Democrats seem to be doing, that the elimination of a foreign administration committed to terrorism might be unjustified or wrong is political folly.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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The film features a slew of genuine performances, which power up the violent insanity into something at once sensational and dramatic.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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The worship of greatness leads, at best, to disillusionment and, at worst, to the insanity unleashed by the Wagnerian Hitler.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Our March madness this year comes with a record-breaking Colorado heat wave that will send top temperatures near and above 80 degrees by the middle of the week.—
Dave Aguilera,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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The Lodge, while crowded, can be a nice respite from the madness of SXSW if arrive early in the day.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If he ever gets stressed or frustrated in dealing with all this nonsense, that footage is never shown.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
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This is not on DeRosa, but that is nonsense.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Outside of moments like this, however, such playful absurdity is often absent.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
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This is not Margot Robbie eating a giant strawberry in Wuthering Heights, a choice that aims for delightful absurdity but ultimately feels mannered.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Rather than sugary simplicity, today’s fruity scents lean layered and nuanced.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
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Where the original thrived in its simplicity, most of the expansions this sequel makes feel like clutter and take away from the strong core character.—
Chase Hutchinson,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Any who show up are declaring their indelible stupidity and misogyny.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
24 Feb. 2026
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As to the famous fine line between stupid and clever, the stupidity and the cleverness are all but inextricable, and to the point.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There’s a heartwarming idiocy to their pursuit, yet what festers underneath is their inability to process grief consciously and the fear that those who deem their existence meaningless might be right.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Gunther and Tig are two billionaire failsons who have wasted countless opportunities and cash chasing the stupidest ideas and who get rewarded over and over again for their idiocy.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There was no foolishness tolerated from him and, of course, Magic, his lieutenant.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Don’t be afraid of the foolishness.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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