1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of folly
In Democrats’ estimation, Republicans will eventually see their folly.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
In scene after scene, my mother’s work showed her nuanced perceptions about human behavior and her generous, big hearted embrace of folly and foible, and, yes, sadness, too.
—Marisa Silver
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
But as the end begins to loom, von Trier astutely captures the rising desperation and the folly of humans scrambling when faced with the inevitable.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
This folly—which Iran has sternly warned against—is immoral, unjustified, and unlawful.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
In scene after scene, my mother’s work showed her nuanced perceptions about human behavior and her generous, big hearted embrace of folly and foible, and, yes, sadness, too.
—Marisa Silver
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
But as the end begins to loom, von Trier astutely captures the rising desperation and the folly of humans scrambling when faced with the inevitable.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
This folly—which Iran has sternly warned against—is immoral, unjustified, and unlawful.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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Ed brings great depth and heart to the man in charge of safety for this massive jump, an island of reason in a sea of insanity.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
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At trial, Crawford's attorneys acknowledged his guilt to lay the groundwork for an insanity defense, even though that's not how Crawford wanted to handle the case, according to reporting by the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Orphan Master’s Son, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 2013, follows a North Korean man struggling to survive amid the cruelty and madness of a modern totalitarian regime.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
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No orgies, no drug madness, no trouble with the law.—
Touré,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Checkmate has done lots of covert ops spy nonsense in comics throughout the years, and notable works with Batman on occasion.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2025
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The new Tron sequel steps outside of cyberspace but won’t leave the sci-fi nonsense behind.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Protesters have slammed the notions and multiple attendees wore inflatable frog and animal costumes to point to the absurdity of the claims of danger.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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These acts of radical playfulness—the inflatable dance parties, the music, the absurdity—have become part of the city’s moral vocabulary.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Shot over two days with striking simplicity, the film reflects Alshamsi’s gift for emotional nuance and cultural reflection.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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This family boat ride is the kind that can be easily overlooked due to its simplicity.—
Zachary Laks,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Pynchon’s absurdism is his way of grappling with and undermining the awful too-muchness and stupidity of it all — especially of the American project and its many tentacles.—
Jack Denton,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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The only reason for this incessant stupidity?—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement Aster keenly satirizes Joe’s idiocy in the face of social upheaval through the iconography of Westerns.—
Robert Daniels,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
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But my naivete and idiocy about what this was going to take was staggering to me just six months later.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement With apt timing, manner, and physicality, DiCaprio translates Bob’s foolishness into a dazzling comedic show.—
Robert Daniels,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
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Yet for all of his stoned foolishness, Bob has clearly imparted a real distrust of authority to his kid.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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