Synonyms

foolishness

American

[foo-lish-nis] / ˈfu lɪʃ nɪs /

noun

lack of wisdom or good judgment; foolish quality.

Oh, the foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness!
foolish talk, ideas, or behavior.

How could someone with such a clever mind as yourself talk such foolishness?
a foolish act, error, habit, etc..

Shakespeare, who looks at all men as if from Mount Olympus, notes their foibles and foolishnesses, and yet smiles on them all.

Other Word Forms

overfoolishness noun
unfoolishness noun

Etymology

Origin of foolishness

foolish + -ness

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.

They focused instead on human experience as it unfolds, moment by uncertain moment, capturing everyday foibles, errors and foolishness in the face of quotidian ruthlessness.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

Mr. Clooney has never had a better role, and he burrows deeply into it with a self-interrogating combination of narcissism, foolishness, bravado and charisma.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

“Under Paris” fares far better, turning the foolishness dial up so far it breaks.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2025

It's that time of the year again - the annual act of foolishness in which I try to predict the outcome of the 2024-25 season for all 20 Premier League clubs.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2024

“Why you always study-ing some foolishness about French king?”

From "Taste of Salt: A Story of Modern Haiti" by Frances Temple

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023