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foolish

adjective
fool·​ish | \ ˈfü-lish How to pronounce foolish (audio) \

Definition of foolish

1 : having or showing a lack of good sense, judgment, or discretion a foolish mistake She takes foolish risks.
2a : absurd, ridiculous He looked foolish in that hat.
b : marked by a loss of composure : nonplussed He felt foolish when he couldn't remember where he had parked the car.
3 : insignificant, trifling
Other Words from foolish Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about foolish

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Other Words from foolish

foolishly adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for foolish

simple, foolish, silly, fatuous, asinine mean actually or apparently deficient in intelligence. simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort. considered people simple who had trouble with computers foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense. foolish stunts silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior. the silly antics of revelers fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality. fatuous conspiracy theories asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception. an asinine plot

Examples of foolish in a Sentence

He was wearing a foolish grin. She's been taking foolish risks. Those flashy clothes make her look foolish. She must feel foolish wearing those flashy clothes. I never thought you'd be foolish enough to believe him.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 But even if the public considered him foolish for having turned away from the series, the decade following Chappelle’s departure also saw him being heralded as a sociocultural savant. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "Dave Chappelle Doubles Down," 28 Aug. 2019 No matter how big the stakes become in Zim and Dib's battle for Earth's future, the special never fails to remind us of how foolish these rivals are in their battle to out-narcissist each other. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus," 16 Aug. 2019 So to pick a fight with members of Congress, which is going to force half of Congress to rally to their defense, is really foolish. — New York Times, "Trump and Netanyahu Put Bipartisan Support for Israel at Risk," 16 Aug. 2019 Pelosi has long been against opening a formal impeachment inquiry, arguing that trying to impeach the president without overwhelming evidence and bipartisan support would be politically foolish. — Jennifer Haberkorn, latimes.com, "Rep. Katie Porter is latest Democrat to support impeachment inquiry," 17 June 2019 President Trump’s attempt to gut our nation’s Clean Power Plan is foolish. — Michael Cabanatuan, SFChronicle.com, "California files 55th lawsuit against Trump over repeal of clean-energy plan," 13 Aug. 2019 Not that Kawhi will say much at all, but any idea of anger from Toronto fans is foolish. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "NBA Schedule Release: Interesting Storylines That Will Shape the 2019-20 Season," 13 Aug. 2019 The secondary characters are the ones who are given first-rate opportunities to be foolish. — Mike Giuliano, baltimoresun.com, "Resistance is futile in Shakespeare's 'Love's Labour's Lost' in Ellicott City," 5 July 2019 The two Deadpool movies have become the highest-grossing entries in the X-Men franchise, and Disney would be foolish to throw that franchise away. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, "What's Next for the X-Men After Dark Phoenix?," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'foolish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of foolish

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for foolish

see fool entry 1

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More Definitions for foolish

foolish

adjective
How to pronounce foolish (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of foolish

: having or showing a lack of good sense or judgment

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