Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for foolishness. Search instead for foolishnes.
Definitions

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.

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

The Lakers were, again, the Lakers — the version from early this season that made optimism seem nothing like foolishness.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

Motherhood has made Slate gentler on herself, sloughing off feelings of foolishness, self-criticism and self-doubt.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

She said they were "light-hearted" pictures, adding: "What he did was nothing more sinister than immature foolishness."

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024

He mentally pushed it away and had a sudden thought of his own foolishness.

From "The River" by Gary Paulsen

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