fatuous

adjective

ˈfa-chü-əs How to pronounce fatuous (audio)
Definition of fatuousnext
1
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily the fatuous questions that the audience members asked after the lecture suggested to the oceanographer that they had understood little

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment ignoring the avalanche warnings, the fatuous skiers continued on their way down the trail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fatuous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fatuous are asinine, foolish, silly, and simple. While all these words mean "actually or apparently deficient in intelligence," fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality.

fatuous conspiracy theories

When is it sensible to use asinine instead of fatuous?

In some situations, the words asinine and fatuous are roughly equivalent. However, asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.

an asinine plot

When is foolish a more appropriate choice than fatuous?

Although the words foolish and fatuous have much in common, foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense.

foolish stunts

When would silly be a good substitute for fatuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to fatuous, silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior.

the silly antics of revelers

When might simple be a better fit than fatuous?

The words simple and fatuous can be used in similar contexts, but simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort.

considered people simple who had trouble with computers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fatuous This fatuous facial gesture is immediately relatable but also, as Locke discusses below, one that can be read in a number of different ways. —Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Schools must accept that mission statements without curriculum alignment are fatuous; the way schools define themselves is through the experience that flows from their curriculum. —Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 Neither Berlanti nor Gilroy believe in them beyond the fatuous setup of their competitiveness with each other. —Armond White, National Review, 17 July 2024 Read their fatuous decision and weep for your country. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 12 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for fatuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatuous
  1. stupid
  2. foolish
  3. dumb
  4. absurd
  5. slow
  6. silly
  7. simple
  8. idiotic
Adjective
  • Not just on the training pitch but in the dorm rooms, talking about the future and giggling at stupid jokes.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • President Donald Trump said only stupid people would refuse a $400 million gift.
    — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • To write off the Israeli leader would be foolish, especially with new elections not required until late 2026.
    — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • His writing is so human—his people are foolish in such human ways.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    — Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    — Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • One thing that’s been a challenge to satirists in the last 10 years is that reality has become so absurd, with the dumbest possible things happening every day, that there doesn’t always seem to be another level for satire to go to.
    — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
  • Read it because existence is absurd, and laughter might be the most intelligent response available.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • The solution to getting those who may be slower to embrace AI isn’t to push them harder, but to coach them and consider their backgrounds.
    — Greg Edwards, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
  • My spring crops were slow to develop this year, stifled by sporadic frosts and bouts of dry weather.
    — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • If a couple players on the Dodgers can make a silly comment, so can the owner of the Yankees.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • The artwork is silly and exaggerated to capture youngsters’ attention.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • Trevon Williams, who did not escape from the New Orleans jail, was charged with 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on May 23.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Related Stories 13 Under-The-Radar Activities And Experiences In Key West The 11 Best Key West Restaurants On The Water Rooms And Rates The rooms are bright, cheerful, and simple, with colorful coastal touches in artwork and decorative items like pillows.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • And jingoism, idiotic, is not patriotism.
    — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025
  • But, here, the characters suffer from the horror film syndrome of making one idiotic decision after another because that’s what the film requires to send the action in its intended direction.
    — Scott Phillips, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Definition of idiotic

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Cite this Entry

“Fatuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatuous. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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