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
But to think that suckers get an even break when insiders have information that assures them of winning is folly.
—
William Mersey, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Fanciful Hapsburg follies have been restored and repurposed.
—Joshua Levine, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Technically considered public art installations, the follies have already seen plenty of use.
—Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Malinin got a bit of redemption for his follies at the Olympics with a third-straight men's individual world title in Prague, and then finally had some fun after weeks of drama following his every move.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
William Mersey, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Fanciful Hapsburg follies have been restored and repurposed.
—Joshua Levine, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Technically considered public art installations, the follies have already seen plenty of use.
—Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Malinin got a bit of redemption for his follies at the Olympics with a third-straight men's individual world title in Prague, and then finally had some fun after weeks of drama following his every move.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
-
Iran’s nuclear insanity leaves America and allies no room to blink.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
That still leaves the sanity phase of his trial, which will determine whether Fahim — who previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity — faces up to life in prison without parole or being sent to a state hospital for treatment.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No movie-length version of The Shining could have ever captured Jack Torrance’s very gradual slide into madness as well as King’s novel.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The madness of March came and went and brought glory in April.—
Bruce Pearl,
Washington Post,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is why all the whining and complaining from small market teams across the sport is manipulative nonsense.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Or from whatever this risibly self-serious metaphysical nonsense about performance and possession, creation and exorcism, aims to be.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gleefully ludicrous and committed to its own absurdity, this ensemble comedy earns every outrageous laugh.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
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One takes a scathing look at the absurdities of the American healthcare industry, while the other reinforces the season’s nature-out-of-balance themes.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bieber hit the hard reset on Coachella maximalism The entire performance dealt in assured simplicity from the 32-year-old.—
Reanna Cruz,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In reimagining the 1950s-style entry, Misso opted for simplicity, ditching traditional trim around the white oak door in favor of a brick surround painted Benjamin Moore’s White Dove.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If not for the stupidity of Joe Biden and the Democrats, ICE would have an easier job.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Smart, skilled, hardworking people gracefully put up with all manner of tragedy, stupidity, and institutional rot.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
This season Fears has shown both the maturity of the player who came back to discuss his actions with his head coach, and the foolishness of the hothead who responded with the hard foul.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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