tomfoolery

noun

ˌtäm-ˈfül-rē How to pronounce tomfoolery (audio)
Definition of tomfoolerynext
as in buffoonery
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 The project has been plagued by technical issues, supplier disputes, and alleged tomfoolery—empty mini tequila bottles were reportedly discovered on one of the airplanes under construction. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 The latest tomfoolery consisted of a posting on Twitter/X last week that provided a picture of a genuine Monet painting, and the picture was labeled as supposedly being AI-generated. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 Warm temperatures should keep the snow from causing too much traffic tomfoolery on Tuesday, but by the evening, roads are likely to turn slick, Danielson said. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 May 2026 The Jazz are 15-35, which puts them at the sixth pick if zero lottery-ball tomfoolery happens. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tomfoolery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tomfoolery
  1. buffoonery
  2. joking
  3. clowning
  4. horseplay
  5. foolery
  6. clownery
  7. roughhousing
  8. slapstick
Noun
  • Irwin knows how to clown an audience, and in this enjoyable, broadly comic interpretation, the buffoonery is at least as much the point as some pointed critiques of modern-day American health care.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s quarter millennial—featuring overt buffoonery and historic grifting as neighbors—was characteristic of his two presidencies.
    — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of buffoonery
Noun
  • As the audience applauded, Stewart launched into his joking eulogy.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of joking
Noun
  • On paper, the script didn’t seem that funny, and the looseness of it all — the clowning, the lack of a traditional plot structure — seemed kind of slapdash.
    — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • After all, as observed in a recent article in New York magazine about clowning, stupidity is powerful resistance.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of clowning
Noun
  • Six months ago, Thomas drowned during rough horseplay in a pool.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The video depicts a group of students engaged in horseplay, progressing to two 15-year-olds tussling and laughing, according to the suit.
    — Eric Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 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
  • Performance styles can range from slapstick to dark introspective drama.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The film is a wild, frequently grotesque spectacle that careens between horror, action, slapstick, and black comedy.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of slapstick

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tommy gun
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Cite this Entry

“Tomfoolery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tomfoolery. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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