imbecility

noun

ˌim-bə-ˈsi-lə-tē How to pronounce imbecility (audio)
Definition of imbecilitynext
1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea was arrested for the sheer imbecility of speeding down a dark road with no headlights on

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2
as in madness
lack of good sense or judgment we were stunned by the imbecility of the ideas presented by this once-respected biologist

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imbecility When Constanze reaches her breaking point, Mozart’s imbecility is exposed as fragility. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imbecility
  1. insanity
  2. madness
  3. idiocy
  4. simplicity
  5. absurdity
Noun
  • Clancy was tried in a Massachusetts court of law, one of the few venues where defendants such as Clancy enjoy the presumption of proof for pleas of insanity, once they are allowed to make such a plea.
    — Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Judge Andy Porter found Tracy Walters not guilty by reason of insanity in the December 2021 killing of Cynthia Cervantes, a social worker and Navy veteran.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • Just 42 minutes of 10-run madness … all after this game should have been over.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • While operating, Joseph shakes off the space madness by recalling La’an’s advice.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of madness
Noun
  • It’s been a classic staple over decades of British comedy, which from Basil Fawlty to David Brent has rejoiced in puncturing pomposity to reveal idiocy and incompetence.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The school board’s radical idiocy does not negate the state’s obligation to think about the longer haul — specifically, the structurally unbalanced budgets facing Chicago Public Schools as far as the eye can see.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of idiocy
Noun
  • The key is simplicity and predictability, giving producers confidence that American locations can compete with foreign alternatives.
    — Sam Roseme, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Complexity can disguise poor thinking, while simplicity can expose it.
    — Ricardo Bellino, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • With that as the starting point, and the premise now fully in motion, season two hits the ground running with the wind of absurdity at its back.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The position requires a particular combination of bravery, confidence and just enough absurdity.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of absurdity

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imbecilities
imbecility
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Cite this Entry

“Imbecility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imbecility. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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