foolishness

[foo-lish-nis] / ˈfu lɪʃ nɪs /

NOUN

idiocy, nonsense

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absurdity bunk craziness folly indiscretion insanity irrationality irresponsibility lunacy rubbish silliness stupidity

STRONG

absurdness claptrap foolery impracticality imprudence inanity insensibility mistake poppycock senselessness tommyrot twaddle unwiseness weakness

WEAK

carrying-on dumb trick fool trick horse feathers ludicrousness preposterousness unreasonableness witlessness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

judgment sense wisdom

WEAK

care carefulness caution circumspection prudence seriousness thoughtfulness wiseness

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.

They focused instead on human experience as it unfolds, moment by uncertain moment, capturing everyday foibles, errors and foolishness in the face of quotidian ruthlessness.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

Mr. Clooney has never had a better role, and he burrows deeply into it with a self-interrogating combination of narcissism, foolishness, bravado and charisma.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

“Under Paris” fares far better, turning the foolishness dial up so far it breaks.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2025

Part of it is working through lifelong, longstanding feelings of “I’m a fool and my foolishness is going to make people incredibly angry with me.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2025

I was too shaken to consider my own foolishness; it was only the rabbit, and Mr. Loomis’s impatience, that had saved me.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

foolishness

Example Sentences

Related Words