✅  Foolish and asinine both describe making yourself look silly, especially through comments that lack common sense, good judgment, or wit. This is generally more harmless than being rude or boorish (He can be a bit foolish; Their commentary was asinine).

✅  Foolish is the best word to describe a lack of common sense (a foolish decision). Asinine is the best word to describe things like witless comments or a lack of social graces (a foolish decision).

⚠️  Foolish can be used in a way that implies judging a person’s intelligence, similar to words like dull or dimwitted. You’ll want to avoid this usage, as it can be cruel or insulting.

These synonyms for asinine will keep you from looking foolish!

✅  Decide is the more general verb. It’s best when making your mind up about something (I decided to get donuts).

✅  Determine is the best word when coming to a conclusion based on evidence or research (I determined the best route to the bakery).

✅  Decide and determine can both be used to describe choosing a course of action (The town determined to provide the necessary services; I decided to go home). In this context, determine, although less frequent, is a stronger word than decide, implying a firm decision.

Decide to improve your vocabulary using these synonyms for determine.

✅  Process is the best word to refer to a series of steps, where each step relies on the previous ones, leading to a specific end result (the legislative process).

✅  Procedure is the best word for a set or formal way of doing something (We have a security procedure).

✅  A procedure can involve a process or processes and is usually a set way of achieving a goal or doing something, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to do that thing (There are many administrative procedures).

✅  Using process implies that the thing has to happen according to those systematic steps, or you won’t get the right end result (the process of making bread).

Streamline your process with these synonyms for procedure.