adjective
-
obstinate or stupid
-
resembling an ass
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
Etymology
Origin of asinine
First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin asinīnus, equivalent to asin(us) ass 1 + -īnus -ine 1
Explanation
Anything that's asinine is truly stupid or foolish. Your brother might love a ridiculous reality TV show, while you find it completely asinine. Asinine derives from the Latin asinus, which means "stupid," but also "like an ass or donkey." Asinine behavior isn't simply dumb, but is as obstinate and lacking in judgement as a stubborn donkey. It would be foolish if your friend spray-painted graffiti on the neighbor's garage door, but it would be asinine if he also signed his name.
Vocabulary lists containing asinine
A Lexical Zoo of Animal Adjectives
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Grade 11, List 6
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Dear Martin
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As if to punctuate his asinine decision, Marin makes a braying donkey noise.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2025
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
Because, well, of course the solicitor general is not making such an asinine argument.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2024
But the fact remained that any five-year-old girl in any family was always obliged to do as she was told, however asinine the orders might be.
From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
