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
Advertisement With apt timing, manner, and physicality, DiCaprio translates Bob’s foolishness into a dazzling comedic show.
—
Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
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
The foolishness of the governor’s gibe was underscored by the progressive, staunchly anti-Trump Democratic mayor of San Jose.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
None of that store-brand foolishness.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolishness
Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
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
The foolishness of the governor’s gibe was underscored by the progressive, staunchly anti-Trump Democratic mayor of San Jose.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
None of that store-brand foolishness.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolishness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolishness
Noun
-
Replacing those funds with a sales tax would be unfair and regressive while hoping that the state will come up with some other source of funding is an exercise in insanity.—
Judy Mollica,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Defense attorneys hoped to convince the jury that Gacy was not guilty by reason of insanity.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Hillary Busis considers this celestial nonsense.—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
-
And someone please tell the FBI and the DOJ to get to work on real crime, rather than the political nonsense.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At the surface, everything about Doug Moe — his teams, his manner, his dress sense — seemed to embody complete madness.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Only four days remain in the regular season before the madness of do-or-die season comes rolling in.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Which is much worse than plain old stupidity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike its sibling concepts of dumbness and idiocy, stupidity isn’t really a personality trait.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Great for the upper and middle back, helping to build thickness and definition.—
Ciara Lucas,
SELF,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Healthy roots will appear moist and will taper in thickness closer to the tip.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
How Tide evo Works Tide evo was clearly developed with simplicity top of mind.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Blending simplicity and durability, additional elements include cobranded details and dual‑lace options, allowing for personalization.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There is plenty of silliness in this year’s commercials.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The silliness betrays the seriousness.—
J. Aaron Sanders,
STAT,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike its sibling concepts of dumbness and idiocy, stupidity isn’t really a personality trait.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Compare that to punk rock, which used dumbness as a tactic.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foolishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolishness. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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