1
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
the fatuous questions that the audience members asked after the lecture suggested to the oceanographer that they had understood little
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in absurd
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
ignoring the avalanche warnings, the fatuous skiers continued on their way down the trail
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fatuous
Second, this rationale for regulation proved to be illogical and fatuous as conceded by U.S. Courts and the Federal Communications Commission in the decades since.
—
Carine Harb, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
This fatuous facial gesture is immediately relatable but also, as Locke discusses below, one that can be read in a number of different ways.
—Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Schools must accept that mission statements without curriculum alignment are fatuous; the way schools define themselves is through the experience that flows from their curriculum.
—Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Neither Berlanti nor Gilroy believe in them beyond the fatuous setup of their competitiveness with each other.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for fatuous
Carine Harb, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
This fatuous facial gesture is immediately relatable but also, as Locke discusses below, one that can be read in a number of different ways.
—Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Schools must accept that mission statements without curriculum alignment are fatuous; the way schools define themselves is through the experience that flows from their curriculum.
—Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Neither Berlanti nor Gilroy believe in them beyond the fatuous setup of their competitiveness with each other.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for fatuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatuous
Adjective
-
No Broward program can possibly be as wasteful and downright stupid as the Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS).—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Aug. 2025
-
This sounds very stupid, but there’s an idea in my mind.—
David Mack,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These movies are brilliantly written, but above all will do anything to get a laugh, no matter how silly, how absurd, how ridiculous — how stupid.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Interestingly, the Vance memes were far more surreal and absurd than South Park’s caricature, which retained the simple, bloated design of the first few images.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
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Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
-
This new adventure will take players to the heart of Italy where ancient legends and sinister cults promise danger to anyone brave or foolish enough to dig deeper.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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With the season on the line as the Bronx Bombers now sit in third place in the American League East division, Aaron Boone would be foolish to not pull Williams from the closer role for the second time this season and hand it over to David Bednar.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Burrow hopes that feeling the rush and gaining real reps working the pocket will help lessen the impact of opening-week clunkers that contributed to the team’s slow starts.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
8 Aug. 2025
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Three organic meats are on offer for Sunday roast: slow roasted Black Angus, with creamed horseradish; succulent Tamworth Pork with bramley apple sauce and Texel Lamb with a classic mint sauce.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Similar to the first film, families will enjoy silly slapstick mixed with great chemistry between Lohan and Curtis, who are just as good together.—
Katie Grant,
Parents,
7 Aug. 2025
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In one silly snap, Cannon could be seen wearing a red sweatsuit and posing with four of his kids.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But it was intended to be a simple, three-course meal, the documents showed.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
16 Aug. 2025
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The recycled leather lanyard adds to its convenience and simple, timeless style.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
“Fatuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatuous. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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