asinine

[ as-uh-nahyn ]

/ ˈæs əˌnaɪn /

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See synonyms for: asinine / asininity on Thesaurus.com

adjective

foolish, unintelligent, or silly; stupid: It is surprising that supposedly intelligent people can make such asinine statements.

of or like an ass: asinine obstinacy;asinine features.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of asinine

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin asinīnus, equivalent to asin(us)ass¹ + -īnus-ine¹

OTHER WORDS FROM asinine

as·i·nine·ly, adverbas·i·nin·i·ty

[as-uh-nin-i-tee], /ˌæs əˈnɪn ɪ ti/, noun

Words nearby asinine

sight for sore eyes, a, as I live and breathe, Asimov, ASIN, Asine, asinine, sinking feeling, a, ASIO, Asir, -asis, as it were

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

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.

How to use asinine in a sentence

“Now I don’t know how in the world anything could be more asinine than that,” he said, pointing to numbers indicating that just 37 percent of such workers were getting vaccinated.
GOP West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is done with all that nonsense on vaccines|Aaron Blake|September 9, 2021|Washington Post
Marijuana prohibition is a dead man walking, but some institutions are so drunk with power that they sit around and cook up asinine arguments about how smoking a J to relieve stress is the same thing as being Barry Bonds.
It’s Insane to Boot Sha’Carri Richardson from the Olympics for Marijuana|Corbin Smith|July 2, 2021|The Daily Beast
Alas, what should be a runaway creative success for the game’s director, Josef Fares, is marred by a tone-deaf narrative element which shows that asinine ethnic caricatures unfortunately still exist in video games.
‘It Takes Two’ tests your ability to save a marriage and fly a fidget spinner|Christopher Byrd|April 2, 2021|Washington Post
Is Olivia Pope an “Angry Black Woman,” as one asinine TV critic suggests?
‘Scandal’ Review: Olivia Pope Has Lost Her Damn Mind|Kevin Fallon|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

That we find so hallowed and important, but also so asinine and silly?
Breaking: The Oscars Might Not Suck This Year|Kevin Fallon|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She hypnotized Cory with her free spirit, freer hair, and asinine name, coaxing him out of his shell and into love with her.
‘Boy Meets World’ Turns 20: The Silly Show We Can’t Help but Love|Kevin Fallon|September 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Asinine comments like this leave the President looking like the only mature kid in town.
See Ya, Randian Romney!|Justin Green|November 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Funny how the ones deemed “geniuses” always act the most asinine in relationships.
Lights, Camera, Cocktails|Brody Brown|September 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
"We are somewhat surprised," he said, knowing it for an asinine remark but afraid to risk his dignity by being plainer.
The Envoy, Her|Horace Brown Fyfe
Morsfield, entirely objecting to asinine harness with him, mocked at his invocation and intonation of the name of Jove.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete|George Meredith
For these patriotic services the members of the asinine assembly are duly acknowledging their gratitude.
Rowlandson the Caricaturist. First Volume|Joseph Grego
His faith was unshaken—in sheer asinine fatuity it was sublime.
The Fall of a Nation|Thomas Dixon
One of them in particular, who shall be nameless, quite asinine.
Italy; with sketches of Spain and Portugal|William Beckford

British Dictionary definitions for asinine

asinine

/ (ˈæsɪˌnaɪn) /

adjective

obstinate or stupid

resembling an ass

Derived forms of asinine

asininely, adverbasininity (ˌæsɪˈnɪnɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for asinine

C16: from Latin asinīnus, from asinus ass 1

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

asinine

Origin of asinine

OTHER WORDS FROM asinine

Words nearby asinine

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say asinine?

Words related to asinine

How to use asinine in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for asinine

Derived forms of asinine

Word Origin for asinine