tomfoolery

noun

ˌtäm-ˈfül-rē How to pronounce tomfoolery (audio)
Definition of tomfoolerynext
as in joking
wildly playful or mischievous behavior the open bar may have had something to do with the tomfoolery at the wedding reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 tomfoolery But enough of all that tomfoolery, because there is one person on the beach who knows exactly what is about to happen! — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025 This prevalence, however, has led to widespread quality-control tomfoolery. — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025 There was nothing particularly frightening about their Viennese waltz, which was a nice change from all the creepy tomfoolery earlier in the night. — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025 Rite of passage or midnight tomfoolery? — Jake Allen, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tomfoolery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tomfoolery
  1. joking
  2. buffoonery
  3. clowning
  4. horseplay
  5. foolery
  6. clownery
  7. roughhousing
  8. slapstick
Noun
  • Back in December 1968, Dolan wrote a joking column about the earlier Lake Worth monster, from way back in 1947.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
Definition of joking
Noun
  • Without Roberts in charge, expect the political and racial buffoonery to creep back into the conversation at ESPN.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The show, with its interest in corporate buffoonery, doesn’t quite manage to hand-wave away the queasy implications.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of buffoonery
Noun
  • The clowning might be a little too effortful.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • As the race unfolds in real time, there’s clowning, collisions, sabotage, surprises, comedy, chaos and more.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of clowning
Noun
  • When horseplay turns into an impromptu hookup, neither of the young men fight the urge.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026
  • After France’s 4-3 victory against Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, horseplay between the players at the team hotel culminated in back-up centre-back Adil Rami setting off a fire extinguisher in the early hours of the morning.
    — Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Definition of horseplay
Noun
  • Jeffrey Jones played Principal Ed Rooney, Ferris' nemesis, who is dead set on catching Bueller in his foolery, but ultimately fails at his mission.
    — Emma Urdangen, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
  • One way to stop this proliferation of deep-fake nudity is to prosecute the offenders and make examples that such foolery has consequences.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of foolery
Noun
  • Allow Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to clarify his remarks about Aquaman being the work of clowns with… some clownery.
    — Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
  • Chronicle Books In the world of clownery, tradition has long dictated that a clown must never steal another clown’s look.
    — Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Aug. 2018
Definition of clownery
Noun
  • As expected, Aussies brought the roughhousing.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 June 2026
  • The boys challenge each other to throw heavy objects, which leads to intense roughhousing.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of roughhousing
Noun
  • As notorious as Cotliar was for his accurate calls on election night, impressive memory, love for college basketball and the Los Angeles Times, he was also known around the newsroom for his occasional near-slapstick temper.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Physical comedy and razor-sharp wit collide in this carnival of theatrical surprises — a masterful blend of classic French farce and contemporary slapstick that will leave audiences breathless with laughter, the news release states.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of slapstick

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tomfool
tomfoolery
tommy gun
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Cite this Entry

“Tomfoolery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tomfoolery. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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