1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
only a fool would attempt to climb that mountain unprepared
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clown
a person formerly kept in a royal or noble household to amuse with jests and pranks
a king's fool could get away with saying things that others in the palace couldn't
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3
as in sucker
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
I'm a fool for ice cream
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
he's always got some fool plan or other
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue
I fooled him into thinking that we were driving to the store, not to his surprise birthday party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to joke
to make jokes
an edgy comedian fooling with an appreciative college audience
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fool
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
In the new era, three tribes are predetermined, and more often than not, one tribe suffers fools and loses half of its members before the merge, leaving the other two tribes untouched.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 9 June 2025
Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Basic phishing rarely fools anyone twice, so hackers constantly look for new ways to break in.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fool
Noun
Related Articles Keeler: Nuggets-Thunder series was fool’s gold.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
In the new era, three tribes are predetermined, and more often than not, one tribe suffers fools and loses half of its members before the merge, leaving the other two tribes untouched.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 9 June 2025
Verb
Don’t be fooled by the lack of production at Arkansas.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Basic phishing rarely fools anyone twice, so hackers constantly look for new ways to break in.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fool
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fool
Noun
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An evil clown turned serial killer who terrorizes a fictional New York City borough during Halloween and Christmas will join a maniacal lineup of murderers, mutants and monsters during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
-
White-stripe nails Circus-stripe nails Just like a striped Big Top tent, this circus set is complete with stars and clowns.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Noun
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The reserve is heavily wooded with more than 25 tree species that are the domain of warblers, crows, wrens, hawks, woodpeckers, sap suckers, owls, bald eagles, vultures and great herons.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
When my daughter and I are outside, these pesky blood suckers feast.—
Cheryl Fenton,
Parents,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Underestimating China would be a grave error, but underestimating the United States would be equally foolish.—
Damien Ma,
Foreign Affairs,
1 July 2025
-
Gi-hun himself proved a tough protagonist to root for when the show began, as a foolish gambling addict hoping to reconnect with his family but who becomes obsessed with the games anyway.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Step two: Defend against junk fees These nefarious fees are designed either to confuse or deceive consumers.—
Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
7 July 2025
-
Several state legislators and other state officials will testify that they were deceived by the conspirators regarding the operations of Phoenix Solutions, according to prosecutors.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Rocky joked, referencing the Hollywood family of 10 kids.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
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Taylor, never one to back down, fired back with a grin, joking about Jordan's retirement leisurewear.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Noun
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Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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If Wrath of Khan is the gateway Star Trek film for sci-fi lovers, The Voyage Home is the gateway for everyone else.—
Chris Snellgrove,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
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Budget-Friendly: With ticket prices starting at $10 and capping around $125, plus free events and discounts for families, students, and university faculty, the festival caters to everyone—culturally curious families, art lovers, and budget travelers alike.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Instead, the series seems determined to prove that age is just a number by forcing its leads, now including Choudhury and Parker, to act as if 50 is the new (and very stupid) 30.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
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Jurassic Park, based on the Michael Crichton best-seller, is an evolutionary joke: Man, the master of the universe, has become mere flesh, consumed by animals allegedly too stupid to survive.—
David Denby,
Vulture,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fool. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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