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.

Without the prescribed navigation I was accustomed to in a museum, this became a fool’s errand.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

Attempting to adjust your gold exposure in response to external factors is most likely a fool’s errand.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

Betting against Nvidia has also been a fool’s errand in the past three years.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

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

From Slate • Dec. 1, 2025

But Rosencrantz was not at the ball, for he had been sent by Hamlet on a fool's errand.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein