follies

NOUN

nonsense, ridiculous idea

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absurdity craziness foolishness idiocy indiscretion lunacy madness recklessness silliness stupidity

STRONG

daftness fatuity imbecility impracticality imprudence inadvisability inanity irrationality obliquity rashness senselessness triviality unsoundness vice

WEAK

dottiness dumb thing to do dumb trick preposterousness witlessness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

care carefulness intelligence sense

WEAK

judgment knowledge seriousness understanding wisdom

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.

People forget about past follies, either by choice and/or because they’re distracted by the next shiny thing.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 6, 2026

Without these changes, Californians are probably headed for more fiscal follies in the years ahead.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

The follies of the living were more than enough to keep him occupied.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

More aggressive fine print restrains other follies like the bond portfolio mismatches that undid California-based Silicon Valley Bank two years ago, says Davide Oneglia, director of European and global macro at TS Lombard.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

Siddhartha thought yearningly and bitterly about his son, nursed his love and feeling of tenderness for him, let the pain gnaw at him, underwent all the follies of love.

From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse