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.

Was it a calculated risk or stubborn foolishness?

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 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

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

“Now, Quentin, you tell me what all this foolishness is about,” Mrs Bland said.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner

foolishness

Example Sentences

Related Words