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.

Wiseman caused instant controversy with his first film, "Titicut Follies," which remains one of his most famous documentaries, shot in 1967 and capturing the bleak reality of an asylum for the mentally ill, Bridgewater.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Appeared in the November 14, 2025, print edition as 'The Epstein Follies Return'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

Its first Follies in 1926 featured “a riot of song and dance,” with seats going for 50 cents to $3.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2024

Add venues including Fallout Theater, the Hideout and Esther’s Follies cabaret theater, and it’s nearly impossible to walk more than a block without bumping into some sort of comedy show.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2023

A momentary hush; the orchestra leader varies his rhythm obligingly for her and there is a burst of chatter as the erroneous news goes around that she is Gilda Gray's understudy from the "Follies."

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald