asinine

American  

[as-uh-nahyn] / ˈæs əˌnaɪn /

adjective

1. foolish, unintelligent, or silly; stupid.

   It is surprising that supposedly intelligent people can make such asinine statements.

2. of or like an ass.

   asinine obstinacy;

   asinine features.

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asinine British  

/ ˌæsɪˈnɪnɪtɪ, ˈæsɪˌnaɪn /

adjective

1. obstinate or stupid

2. resembling an ass

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Usage

What are other ways to say asinine? The adjective asinine describes things that are foolish or unintelligent, as in asinine remarks. Do you know when to use asinine, fatuous, silly, inane, stupid, and foolish? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

• asininely adverb
• asininity noun

Etymology

Origin of asinine

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin asinīnus, equivalent to asin(us) ass ¹ + -īnus -ine ¹

Example Sentences

I smiled politely; I found the remark asinine; I resolved to work it into conversation as soon as possible.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2024

Even if you buy the asinine notion that it's possible, it still doesn't make sense.

From Salon • Oct. 10, 2024

Kind of makes sense, given the absolutely asinine things that come out of his mouth!

From Slate • May 10, 2024

Now that a jury is sitting in judgment of his conduct, that strategy will go from dubious to asinine.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2024

“They try every asinine thing you can imagine,” I said.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline