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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of folly
The new president realizes the folly inherent in ignoring the scope of our vast natural assets by arbitrarily restricting development of the resources necessary to provide Americans with the highest standard of living in the world.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
This year, Lewis’ folly reentered the public eye, with a documentary devoted to it, a Hollywood producer acquiring rights to the original script, and the Library of Congress opening its trove of material to researchers.
—Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2025
Buy Now 05 of 15 'The Rachel Papers' by Martin Amis
Adolescent angst and the foibles and follies that come with it have been a mainstay of fiction since the form began, and this one's a prime example.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
An exercise in the folly of masochistically tying oneself to the journey rather than embracing the necessary compromises involved in reaching the destination, Seydoux brings this climax to a savage howl of dismay.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for folly 
Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
This year, Lewis’ folly reentered the public eye, with a documentary devoted to it, a Hollywood producer acquiring rights to the original script, and the Library of Congress opening its trove of material to researchers.
—Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2025
Buy Now 05 of 15 'The Rachel Papers' by Martin Amis
Adolescent angst and the foibles and follies that come with it have been a mainstay of fiction since the form began, and this one's a prime example.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
An exercise in the folly of masochistically tying oneself to the journey rather than embracing the necessary compromises involved in reaching the destination, Seydoux brings this climax to a savage howl of dismay.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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If Laws is found not guilty by reason of insanity, she will be committed to a state hospital for an extended period, News4SA reports.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
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Smearing myself with Max Factor blood and crawling around an Arab graveyard at five o’clock in the morning as the sun rose over the pyramids was absolute insanity.—
Bill Wyman,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This species of madness that infects the nation Airman Bushnell’s moral sacrifice disdains.—
Kary Love,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Perkins pushes back against logic in favor of entertaining midnight madness, and death has never been funnier or gorier.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Writing nonsense just to make word / article quotas.—
Harman Dayal,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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The Baltimore Sun owes Baltimore Ravens placekicker Justin Tucker a headline apology and let this nonsense go.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Trump has always trafficked in absurdity, but there was a time when his bombast at least had a strategic purpose.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Many have judged both him and us based on accusations, conspiracy theories, and false narratives that have spiraled into absurdity on social media.—
Claudia Rosenbaum,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Despite its simplicity, the coin toss is a pivotal moment in the Super Bowl, one that carries weight far beyond its apparent randomness.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
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While ETFs offer intraday liquidity for investors, some financial advisors and their clients may prefer the long-term track records and simplicity of traditional money market funds, many of which are designed to trade at $1.—
Jesse Pound,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For me that’s always been identity, men, technology, and my own stupidity.—
Seth Abramovitch,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Feb. 2025
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Betting against Mahomes in a big game fits in nicely with all the stupidity going around.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Making any judgements about the actual validity of their complaints is the height of foolishness right now, with so much legal process runway still ahead.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Feb. 2025
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Fonseca got tough and the line between bravery and foolishness, at times, became imperceptible.—
James Horncastle,
The Athletic,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The property also grows its own herbs, greens, nuts, berries, and edible flowers.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Focus on whole foods like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
5 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near folly
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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