1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in madness
lack of good sense or judgment
in all my folly, I didn't think about how my actions would hurt my father
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
enough of this folly about moving to the Australian outback
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of folly
Kate Fry, whose assignment here as Gretl requires a temporal transition from the coquettish and sensuous to a character rich with the moral authority of experience and an ability to judge the folly of others, is quite extraordinary.
—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
This extravagant, cartoonish, and shockingly unfunny folly about the hysteria surrounding a Japanese invasion of California shows a boy-wonder director testing his limits — and overstepping them.
—
Chris Nashawaty,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 June 2026
Organizations that have spent decades pretending that the best way to find a new audience is to alienate your existing one are beginning to realize the cost of their folly.
—
Philip Kennicott,
Washington Post,
7 June 2026
Here, human folly moves against a backdrop of horror and magic.
—
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
This extravagant, cartoonish, and shockingly unfunny folly about the hysteria surrounding a Japanese invasion of California shows a boy-wonder director testing his limits — and overstepping them.
—
Chris Nashawaty,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 June 2026
Organizations that have spent decades pretending that the best way to find a new audience is to alienate your existing one are beginning to realize the cost of their folly.
—
Philip Kennicott,
Washington Post,
7 June 2026
Here, human folly moves against a backdrop of horror and magic.
—
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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Piggott was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a trial held a year later.
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is calling for the impeachment of the Miami-Dade judge who acquitted a woman by reason of insanity in the 2021 death of her 15-month-old daughter, arguing the ruling threatens public safety.
Noun
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In the midst of the final stretch of World Cup madness, here are eight shows happening in Kansas City in July.
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Either Cody or Gunther wins because Sami gets screwed; Zayn will then further descend into madness and attack someone after the bell.
Noun
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Even Hauser can’t rescue this culturally insensitive, stereotype-perpetuating nonsense.
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Some beer companies even make canned versions of the drink, but forget that nonsense — there is nothing better than a fresh, handmade michelada.
Noun
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Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
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Fireworks, flags and BBQs are Fourth of July staples, but America’s 250th birthday brings an extra helping of absurdity to Coney Island.
Noun
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Write with simplicity and heart.
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That distinction is important because the company sees simplicity as one of its greatest strengths.
Noun
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Which again, highlights the stupidity of allowing these exceptions in the first place.
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Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way.
Noun
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That’s the level of idiocy in the Los Angeles city government.
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The idiocy of these people knows no bounds.
Noun
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Any larger Hollywood studio would have likely insisted on a grander finale, but The Death of Robin Hood, produced by A24, left me pondering the foolishness of my need for such a denouement.
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The popular Instagram page @touronsofnationalparks is known for spotlighting the foolishness of people in national parks.
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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