fools

NOUN

stupid or ridiculous person

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ass boob buffoon clown idiot jerk moron nitwit stooge sucker twit

STRONG

birdbrain blockhead bonehead bore clod cretin dimwit dolt dope dunce dunderhead fathead goose ignoramus illiterate imbecile innocent lightweight loon nincompoop ninny numskull oaf sap schlemiel silly simpleton turkey twerp victim

WEAK

dumb ox easy mark fair game halfwit lamebrain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

brain

STRONG

genius

VERB

trick, mislead

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheat deceive delude dupe hoodwink pretend

STRONG

bamboozle bluff chicane con diddle fake out flimflam fox gull hoax jive juke kid outfox play a trick on scam snow spoof take in trifle

WEAK

lead on make believe play-act put on put one over on suck in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be honest

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.

“This is not an April Fools joke,” Drift posted on social media on the day of the heist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

While around 2,000 fans waited outside, a flag with Chansiri mocked up to look like Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses was on show.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2025

“It’s not the big hits they like. It’s songs like ‘Take a Chance,’ ‘I Think You’ve Got Your Fools Mixed Up’ — if a girl’s having trouble with her boyfriend, she’ll dedicate that to him.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2025

“Two years ago, on April Fools, I secretly married my best friend in New Orleans,” Taylor-Joy wrote.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2024

Maybe it wasn’t the Titanic at all, but just a Ship of Fools turned mad by money and greed.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger