1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
His style is Olympian on the surface, the ironic detachment of his pictures casting a cold, curious eye at humanity’s follies and derangements.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
The past week has seen many decrying the folly of government picking winners in business.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The folly of fake coins Counterfeit coins have long been a thorn in the side of the numismatic world and federal authorities.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
The Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, betrayed the folly of this policy.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
The past week has seen many decrying the folly of government picking winners in business.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The folly of fake coins Counterfeit coins have long been a thorn in the side of the numismatic world and federal authorities.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
The Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, betrayed the folly of this policy.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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Those members of Bachelor Nation who aren't familiar with the #MomTok insanity will have several months to get up to speed, as Paul's season of The Bachelorette will not premiere until 2026.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Sep. 2025
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She was later extradited from South Korea in 2022, PEOPLE previously reported, and has since pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and is pursuing an insanity defense.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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To give you an idea of this madness, take a look at the photo at the top.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Continue reading … DAVID MARCUS – Progressive madness killed Charlie Kirk, a once-in-a-generation leader.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This smacks of fake tough guy nonsense.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
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And then a lot of nonsense, which comes with the script.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In terms that viewers of the original series might understand, Esmeralda falls somewhere between the tyranny of Michael Scott, the absurdity of Dwight Schrute, and the self-involvement of Kelly Kapoor with a particular charisma that only Impacciatore could pull off.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
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Still, Daniels and Koman drew on real research to capture the rhythms and absurdities of newsroom life.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Those who enjoy the simplicity and ease of a hair serum will like Hers’s Minoxidil Solution.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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The secret’s in the simplicity—and the rave reviews say it all.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That’s off-the-scale stupidity.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
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So in the midst of poverty imposed by the American embargo and the frequent stupidity of their own government, Cubans struggle to eke out a life.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But my naivete and idiocy about what this was going to take was staggering to me just six months later.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The foolishness of the governor’s gibe was underscored by the progressive, staunchly anti-Trump Democratic mayor of San Jose.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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So, with this progressive effort hitting the trifecta of foolishness, hypocrisy, and dishonesty, how could there possibly be a silver lining?—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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