1
as in insanity
lack of good sense or judgment
the foolishness of going off to search for the fountain of youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
couldn't listen to another second of their foolishness, so I told them to be quiet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stupidness
the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind
you didn't fail the test because of any innate foolishness but because of a lack of preparation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foolishness
The problem is not the companies but the system, whose foolishness is very clear to those, like me, who have spent decades abroad.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
The Lakers were, again, the Lakers — the version from early this season that made optimism seem nothing like foolishness.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
After being laid off from the local hot dog factory and being inducted into a new basic income program, Mark and Hank have plenty of time on their hands to spend their $3,000 monthly checks on high jinks and foolishness.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024
Five glorious days for Chiles, who already had been made to endure the rollercoaster of gymnastics rule foolishness.
—Dana O'Neil, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for foolishness
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
The Lakers were, again, the Lakers — the version from early this season that made optimism seem nothing like foolishness.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
After being laid off from the local hot dog factory and being inducted into a new basic income program, Mark and Hank have plenty of time on their hands to spend their $3,000 monthly checks on high jinks and foolishness.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024
Five glorious days for Chiles, who already had been made to endure the rollercoaster of gymnastics rule foolishness.
—Dana O'Neil, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for foolishness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolishness
Noun
-
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing, expecting different results.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
23 Feb. 2025
-
In 2013, Tyree Smith was found not guilty by reason of insanity in relation to the 2012 killing of Angel Gonzalez, whose body was discovered after he was hacked to death in a vacant apartment in Bridgeport, per NPR.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
First off, the bulk of the trailer is Shrek and company scrolling through fantasy TikTok courtesy of the magic mirror, which shows dancing Shrek, shirtless Shrek and other nonsense, apparently posted by Pinocchio.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Spouted a bunch of nonsense conspiracy theories about who’s getting Social Security benefits.—
Brian Barrett,
WIRED,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The peaceful scene of pandas resting in a meadow is quickly disturbed by Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Sebastian Hansen hurtling to the ground at full speed with a bucket of video-game accurate water, and from there, all kinds of madness ensues.—
Billie Melissa,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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And when her brother-in-law, Stanley (Marlon Brando), rapes her, her descent into madness was made all the more vivid and believable by Leigh's precise depiction of vulnerability and instability.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And that's where a consideration of stupidity is essential.—
John Baldoni,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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But somehow my stupidity and negligence caused the fire.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That being said, this finishing layer is generally extremely thin—only about the thickness of a couple of sheets of paper.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2025
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The end result was the most complicated sports watch of its age with an impressive thickness of just 7.5mm, just 0.4mm thicker than the revolutionary ref 5402 but with an abundance more complexity.—
Thomas Wojtowicz,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The sandals also earn high marks for their simplicity and versatility.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Phase 4: Making photo selects and designing the story Given the photographs' profound presence, our design approach prioritized intentional restraint and simplicity, aiming to create a supportive framework that would elevate the content.—
Caroline Newton,
Bon Appétit,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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An opening scene lays out the grotesque absurdity of the situation, as office manager Joy (Christiane Paul) delineates between culinary content and animal abuse in a meeting.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
9 Mar. 2025
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The recent launch of Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed $TRUMP meme coin, which appeared to be an attempt to capitalize on his second inauguration, only reinforced the absurdity of this trend.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The property also grows its own herbs, greens, nuts, berries, and edible flowers.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Focus on whole foods like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
5 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to foolishness
Cite this Entry
“Foolishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolishness. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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