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Definitions

asinine

[as-uh-nahyn] / ˈæs əˌnaɪn /
ADJECTIVE
senseless
Synonyms
WEAK
absurd cretinous daft foolish half-witted idiotic inane moronic silly sophomoric stupid

Usage

What are other ways to say asinine? The adjective asinine originally meant like an ass; it applies to witlessly stupid conversations or conduct and suggests a lack of social grace or perception: He failed to notice the reaction to his asinine remarks. Foolish implies a lack of common sense or good judgment or, sometimes, a weakness of mind: a foolish decision; The child seems foolish. Fatuous implies being not only foolish, dull, and vacant in mind, but complacent and highly self-satisfied as well: fatuous and self-important; fatuous answers. Silly denotes extreme and conspicuous foolishness; it may also refer to pointlessness of jokes, remarks, etc.: silly and senseless behavior; a perfectly silly statement. Inane applies to silliness that is notably lacking in content, sense, or point: inane questions that leave one with no reply. Stupid implies natural slowness or dullness of intellect, or, sometimes, a benumbed or dazed state of mind; it is also used to mean foolish or silly: He was rendered stupid by a blow; It is stupid to do such a thing. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the criminally short-lived series, Van Der Beek played a version of himself that was far more asinine and haughty than the actor was known to be in real life.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2026

“Playing a national championship on a Monday night on January 20 is one of the most asinine things I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2025

I smiled politely; I found the remark asinine; I resolved to work it into conversation as soon as possible.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2024

It was, as stated recently by Gov. Jay Inslee, “the most asinine thing I’ve ever seen in Washington state political history.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 16, 2024

It’s out of my mouth before I can stop it, and part of me feels asinine for asking, because it really shouldn’t matter: we’re in his house.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.