1
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
foolish people who thought that the world would end in the year 2000 a foolish scheme that was supposed to make us all rich
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2
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
foolish attempts to construct a perpetual motion machine
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3
as in small
lacking importance
the current regulations are cluttered with foolish details that are unnecessarily burdensome
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foolish
Making a prediction for Game 7 is obviously foolish.
—
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 22 June 2025
This seems foolish since the U.S. has some 25-30% of the world’s coal, which is even more than China.
—Jude Clemente, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
The firm is called Matthew 724 Construction, an apparent reference to part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that tells the story of two builders — a wise man who followed his teachings and built a home on a rock foundation, and a foolish man who constructed a home on sand.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
Santana’s a thoughtful protagonist, not given to taking foolish chances, and Cruz is a sympathetic listener who’s learning the intersection of police politics and crime from Santana.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolish
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 22 June 2025
This seems foolish since the U.S. has some 25-30% of the world’s coal, which is even more than China.
—Jude Clemente, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
The firm is called Matthew 724 Construction, an apparent reference to part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that tells the story of two builders — a wise man who followed his teachings and built a home on a rock foundation, and a foolish man who constructed a home on sand.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
Santana’s a thoughtful protagonist, not given to taking foolish chances, and Cruz is a sympathetic listener who’s learning the intersection of police politics and crime from Santana.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolish
Adjective
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Instead, the series seems determined to prove that age is just a number by forcing its leads, now including Choudhury and Parker, to act as if 50 is the new (and very stupid) 30.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
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Jurassic Park, based on the Michael Crichton best-seller, is an evolutionary joke: Man, the master of the universe, has become mere flesh, consumed by animals allegedly too stupid to survive.—
David Denby,
Vulture,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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The French super powerhouse has taken teams part since winning the UEFA Champions League crown on May 24, outscoring its foes by an absurd 21-1 margin.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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From the vantage point of 2025, this appears as absurd as suggesting that women’s soccer matches should be 70 minutes instead of 90, the same as in the men’s game.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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This ultra-lightweight chair weighs just 3 pounds and packs into a carrying case the size of a small purse.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
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While the headline-grabbing CEOs are interesting, hearing the stories of smaller companies is absolutely fascinating.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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This perky, self-aware, sarcastic and downright silly show caters to both the more traditional Goodspeed audiences.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
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Green Lantern is earnest and bright and, yeah, incredibly silly and a little embarrassing.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Some 40 of these bizarre, geochemically-active sub-Neptunes are currently being studied observationally.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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As a result of a bizarre last-minute decision, the nominees in two Emmys categories will be announced Tuesday morning on CBS nearly four hours ahead of the TV Academy’s official nominations announcement, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.—
Beatrice Verhoeven,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Besides the home advantage, Pia Sundhage’s side had a minor edge on goal difference, which meant a draw would be enough for them.—
Neel Shelat,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Imaging taken in Kansas City showed only minor inflammation in Marte’s right knee, and the Mets still expect him to be activated after the All-Star break.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Later in the film, François Arnaud plays a dreamy/nightmare client, matching her gentleness with mad intensity, while giving their scenes together a charge that carries the film into its frenzied conclusion with bold poise.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
11 July 2025
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Even if its repetitive verbiage drove parents a little mad?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolish. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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