asinine

[as-uh-nahyn]

See more synonyms for asinine 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.

Origin of asinine

1600–10; < Latin asinīnus, equivalent to asin(us) ass¹ + -īnus -ine¹

Related formsas·i·nine·ly, adverbas·i·nin·i·ty

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

Synonyms for asinine

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1. See foolish.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for asinine

absurd, daft, foolish, half-witted, idiotic, inane, moronic, silly, sophomoric, stupid, cretinous

Examples from the Web for asinine

Contemporary Examples of asinine

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
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
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
Asinine comments like this leave the President looking like the only mature kid in town.
See Ya, Randian Romney!
Justin Green
November 15, 2012
Funny how the ones deemed “geniuses” always act the most asinine in relationships.
Lights, Camera, Cocktails
Brody Brown
September 11, 2011

Historical Examples of asinine

Meddling with wildcat stocks––asinine any way you figure it!
The Gorgeous Girl
Nalbro Bartley
That's what I am—an undeserving, ungrateful, irresponsible, and asinine pup!
Athalie
Robert W. Chambers
Without delay I began the preparations for the asinine journey.
On a Donkey's Hurricane Deck
R. Pitcher Woodward
Why can not you keep quiet, instead of making your asinine remarks?
Among the Humorists and After Dinner Speakers, Vol. I
Various
These equine and asinine glories have passed away, extinguished by the rail.
Lancashire Folk-lore
John Harland

British Dictionary definitions for asinine

asinine

adjective

obstinate or stupid
resembling an ass

Derived Formsasininely, 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

Word Origin and History for asinine

adj.

c.1600, "obstinate, stupid," from Latin asininus "stupid," literally "like an ass," from asinus "ass," also "dolt, blockhead" (see ass (n.1)). The literal sense in English is recorded from 1620s.