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View synonyms for

foolish

[ foo-lish ]

adjective

  1. resulting from or showing a lack of sense; ill-considered: unwise:

    a foolish action;

    a foolish speech.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , , , , ,

  2. lacking forethought or caution.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , , ,

  3. trifling, insignificant, or paltry.

    Synonyms: ,



foolish

/ ˈڳːɪʃ /

adjective

  1. unwise; silly
  2. resulting from folly or stupidity
  3. ridiculous or absurd; not worthy of consideration
  4. weak-minded; simple
  5. an archaic word for insignificant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈڴǴDZ, adverb
  • ˈڴǴDZԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ڴǴDZ·· adverb
  • ڴǴDZ··Ա noun
  • ··ڴǴDZ· adjective
  • o·ver·ڴǴDZ·· adverb
  • ܲ·-ڴǴDZ· adjective
  • qua·si-ڴǴDZ·· adverb
  • ܲ·ڴǴDZ· adjective
  • un·ڴǴDZ·· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of foolish1

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Middle English folish, foolish; fool 1, -ish 1
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Idioms and Phrases

see penny wise and pound foolish .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In the same letter, Francis attempted to reassure his parents who were deeply concerned about his affair with Ellen: “No one is likely to explode or throw himself under a car, or do anything foolish.”

From

“We will demonstrate that all remaining claims are without merit. It is shameful that these foolish and frivolous legal theatrics continue. They are reputationally and financially costly to Drake and have no chance of success.”

From

Between this show and “The Mandalorian,” Pascal weathered a season of queasy daddy fantasizing in the pop culture discourse, and it would be foolish to bet against that nonsense's resurgence.

From

Republicans would be foolish to treat this 90-day pause as a victory big enough to justify scurrying back to their holes, to hide from the wrath of Dear Leader.

From

These are not people who got rich by being foolish with their funding.

From

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When To Use

are other ways to say foolish?

A foolish action is one that shows a lack of sense or is ill-considered. How is foolish different from fatuous, silly, inane, stupid, and asinine? Find out on .

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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