Definitions

fool's errand

NOUN

practical joke

Synonyms

STRONGEST

prank

WEAK

antic caper escapade espieglerie frolic gag high jinks mischievous trick monkeyshines shenanigans stunt tomfoolery trick

NOUN

red herring

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ploy smokescreen

WEAK

attention-grabber bait commotion curve ball deviation distraction distractor disturbance diversion diversionary tactic false clue false face false trail gimmick interruption maneuver wild-goose chase

NOUN

wild-goose chase

Synonyms

WEAK

bootless errand lost cause merry chase red herring snipe hunt vain attempt waste of time wasted effort wasted labor

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.

“It makes it a fool’s errand to be able to predict because it’s less about logic and more about negotiation tactics.”

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

It’s a fool’s errand at this moment to guess where any of this turns out or which party ends up ahead in the remapping effort.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Predicting when a bubble is finally about to burst could be a fool’s errand.

From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025

Trying to explain journalistic ethics to a lifelong criminal was probably a fool’s errand, but I still tried.

From Slate • Dec. 1, 2025

A rising sense that I was on a fool’s errand.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk

fool's errand

Example Sentences

Related Words