1
as in insanity
lack of good sense or judgment
the foolishness of going off to search for the fountain of youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
couldn't listen to another second of their foolishness, so I told them to be quiet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stupidness
the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind
you didn't fail the test because of any innate foolishness but because of a lack of preparation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foolishness
Much odder is that red states aren’t taking the blue states up on an arrangement that to some degree erects a fence around economic foolishness.
—
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
From physical fights to is-he-or-isn’t-he paternity test foolishness and now revenge p-rn, the storylines can get out of control.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025
The Adams case is not the only one that will bring the foolishness of this directive into sharp relief.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 15 Feb. 2025
Making any judgements about the actual validity of their complaints is the height of foolishness right now, with so much legal process runway still ahead.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolishness
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
From physical fights to is-he-or-isn’t-he paternity test foolishness and now revenge p-rn, the storylines can get out of control.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025
The Adams case is not the only one that will bring the foolishness of this directive into sharp relief.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 15 Feb. 2025
Making any judgements about the actual validity of their complaints is the height of foolishness right now, with so much legal process runway still ahead.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolishness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolishness
Noun
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Those members of Bachelor Nation who aren't familiar with the #MomTok insanity will have several months to get up to speed, as Paul's season of The Bachelorette will not premiere until 2026.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Sep. 2025
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She was later extradited from South Korea in 2022, PEOPLE previously reported, and has since pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and is pursuing an insanity defense.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This smacks of fake tough guy nonsense.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
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And then a lot of nonsense, which comes with the script.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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To give you an idea of this madness, take a look at the photo at the top.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Continue reading … DAVID MARCUS – Progressive madness killed Charlie Kirk, a once-in-a-generation leader.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That’s off-the-scale stupidity.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
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So in the midst of poverty imposed by the American embargo and the frequent stupidity of their own government, Cubans struggle to eke out a life.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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They can also be found in multiple lead thicknesses.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
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In April, leaker Majin Bu shared images of iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro Max mock-ups, and the difference in thickness is quite significant.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Those who enjoy the simplicity and ease of a hair serum will like Hers’s Minoxidil Solution.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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The secret’s in the simplicity—and the rave reviews say it all.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What really makes Dog Man special, though, is how Pilkey’s trademark mix of absurd silliness and surprising sincerity shines through.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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People had never seen that kind of silliness.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But coming from Alexander Karp, the CEO and cofounder of Palantir Technologies, this concern-trolling about a growing censoriousness in ‘the culture’ feels almost intentional in its absurdity.—
Book Marks
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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The result is an absurdity that can elicit instinctual laughter at the grossest imagery imaginable.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foolishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolishness. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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