1
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
foolish people who thought that the world would end in the year 2000 a foolish scheme that was supposed to make us all rich
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2
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
foolish attempts to construct a perpetual motion machine
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3
as in small
lacking importance
the current regulations are cluttered with foolish details that are unnecessarily burdensome
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foolish
That wave of attacks made Trump look naive, even foolish, for claiming that Russia was serious about the peace process, and his tone toward the Kremlin sharply changed.
—
Simon Shuster, Time, 15 May 2025
Scientists have derided the move as a foolish and likely ineffective diversion of resources in the face of a serious and deadly threat — and one that is unnecessary, given the effectiveness of the measles vaccine.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
And this is not a story of corporate greed run amok, because Walmart would be foolish to try to gouge its customers at a time when economic anxiety is high (more on that in a moment).
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Peters said the training from Wayne State's Institute of Gerontology has helped credit union employees to better frame probing questions that will get a positive response without making members feel foolish.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolish
Simon Shuster, Time, 15 May 2025
Scientists have derided the move as a foolish and likely ineffective diversion of resources in the face of a serious and deadly threat — and one that is unnecessary, given the effectiveness of the measles vaccine.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
And this is not a story of corporate greed run amok, because Walmart would be foolish to try to gouge its customers at a time when economic anxiety is high (more on that in a moment).
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Peters said the training from Wayne State's Institute of Gerontology has helped credit union employees to better frame probing questions that will get a positive response without making members feel foolish.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolish
Adjective
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The pair will make stupid decisions, and viewers will likely wonder: would a girl like Paula really do that for a mess like Sloane?—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
13 June 2025
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This one is one person on the street obviously taking the soul of a protester who was stupid enough to go after some police officers.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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There’s the undercurrent of politics stirring animus between the neighbors, with Canadians angered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his absurd aside saying perhaps Canada should be the 51st U.S. state.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
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The concept itself is absurd, given the modest park features.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Farmers watered their crops less, and saw smaller harvests as a result.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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Yes, Georgia and Paul split this season as the blowback from the trial — and Paul's support of Proposition 38, disastrous for small businesses — imperiled his mayoral career.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Alas, during one night siege (silly enough to not scare the little ones, even as the entire village repeatedly goes up in flames), Hiccup aims his weapon at the shape of a Night Fury (no one, we’re told repeatedly, as ever really seen one), shoots, and … what!—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 June 2025
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Still, sometimes Forrest’s demands seemed nitpicky, silly even.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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The bizarre blackouts are first explained with a bizarre hit-and-run that shook Larkin months earlier.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
8 June 2025
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But much of the discussion after the San Francisco Giants' 5-4 victory centered around a bizarre moment in the fourth inning.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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One allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail, and three deputies were struck, causing minor injuries, the department said.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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Four people were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries, and one person, the driver of the second truck, sustained life-threatening injuries.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Fast, not scared to use his front bumper, don't care if somebody gets mad about it and on the verge of becoming a star.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
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Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Madison would play twin sisters in a story that sees a mad prince take in the noble class into his castle while a plague devastates the peasantry.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolish. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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