1
as in insanity
lack of good sense or judgment
the foolishness of going off to search for the fountain of youth
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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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of foolishness
Then after Tyla won Best International Artist, Henson ran through the calendar to recap a year in foolishness.
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Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 June 2024
On an international level, too..., one country’s climate response can easily leave another country impoverished, either through neglect, foolishness or outright malevolence.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
For instance, there is only a tiny difference between stubbornness and perseverance or between courage and foolishness.
—Brendan Leonard, Outside Online, 21 Oct. 2024
Occasionally, nonwhite characters appear to emphasize the depth of white people’s foolishness.
—Elena Saavedra Buckley, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for foolishness 
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 June 2024
On an international level, too..., one country’s climate response can easily leave another country impoverished, either through neglect, foolishness or outright malevolence.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
For instance, there is only a tiny difference between stubbornness and perseverance or between courage and foolishness.
—Brendan Leonard, Outside Online, 21 Oct. 2024
Occasionally, nonwhite characters appear to emphasize the depth of white people’s foolishness.
—Elena Saavedra Buckley, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for foolishness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolishness
Noun
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The legal team for Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course in September, is considering an insanity defense.Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 11 Dec. 2024
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That’s still a bit shy, though, of the insanity that surrounded Stanley cups at their peak.Chris Morris, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The art world, like the artwork itself, exists in a delicate balance of elitism and absurdity, meaning and nonsense.Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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The basic idea here is that Vince Vaughn is doing his mid-aughts-dirtbag Vince Vaughn thing but on Christmas — a premise that’s laid on a foundation of plausible-sounding nonsense.Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But what of the apologists for madness and criminality, the comfortable sophists who invert morality to score partisan points?Matthew Continetti, National Review, 14 Dec. 2024
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Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths Plenty of 2024 movies were of the mind that the only way to respond to a world gone mad is with more madness.Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Navalny’s memoir deftly exposes the infinite vices in the current Russian government that rewards venality, cowardice and stupidity but punishes integrity, brains and the courage to speak truth to power.Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024
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That may not be a huge sum of money in a county with an annual operating budget of nearly $5 billion, but it’s got to rank high in sheer stupidity or at least neglect.Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Or consider another possible tweak to standard dimensions that would boost a building’s versatility: modifying its thickness, especially toward the bottom.Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024
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The thickness of the icing will determine its drying time.Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Though limited in services like in-room dining, the cost-effective hotel prioritizes simplicity over luxury.Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024
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For bags that prioritize simplicity with minimal frills on the inside, consider Leatherology’s Framed Toiletry Bag.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
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Brought to life through campy, surrealist sets and unforgettable cameos, the show takes the viewer through a series of dreamlike vignettes that brilliantly articulate the absurdity and tedium of life under late-capitalism.Samantha Allen, Them, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The best choices for you and the planet Another important omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, is found in nuts and seeds such as walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds — with ground flaxseeds and flaxseed oil providing the highest amounts, according to Harvard Medical School’s website.Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
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Try sprinkling ground flaxseed or chia seeds on granola and yogurt, and snack on small quantities of nuts during the day.Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Foolishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolishness. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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