1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in madness
lack of good sense or judgment
in all my folly, I didn't think about how my actions would hurt my father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
enough of this folly about moving to the Australian outback
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of folly
The current drift toward authoritarian leaders in this fractured world will leave international relations at the mercy of their whims, dreams, and follies.
—
Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
This eccentric artist has earned his folly and respect.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Florist Ivie Joy transformed the Bard Room with white blooms and candles, which were luckily in votives to avoid recreating Sedgwick’s folly.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
The restorative nature of Brighton & Hove Albion’s late comeback win against West Ham highlighted the influence of Lewis Dunk and the folly of writing off the club’s long-serving captain.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
This eccentric artist has earned his folly and respect.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Florist Ivie Joy transformed the Bard Room with white blooms and candles, which were luckily in votives to avoid recreating Sedgwick’s folly.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
The restorative nature of Brighton & Hove Albion’s late comeback win against West Ham highlighted the influence of Lewis Dunk and the folly of writing off the club’s long-serving captain.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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Sending yet another one back to City Hall would be the definition of insanity.—
Whitney Tilson,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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Alissa pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but he was found competent to stand trial in 2023 after spending time at a mental hospital.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Once again, the film is about the anguish of losing a loved one and the the desire to connect with the dead one more time, the annihilating madness of grief driving a person to unspeakable ends.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2025
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As Scott stumbles through a chaotic weekend, Neil proves a ride-or-die friend who may be the only sane voice in the madness of wedding season.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Beyond that, the show is mostly content to amble along, loping toward the green and from time to time indulging in odd bits of nonsense.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
4 June 2025
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Yet Towns has proven, one moment at a time, that reputation, that narrative is a bunch of nonsense.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Delving deep into sublime absurdity, Elster transmuted Bowie into a broad range of peculiar characters.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Mara opted to stay in her lane as a dramatic star to ground the absurdity of the film, including the antics between Robinson and Paul Rudd onscreen.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article MIAMI — The Miami Heat’s approach to free agency last summer was simplicity, that Jimmy Butler would return hungry for an extension, the core would meet Pat Riley’s mandate of elevated attendance, Jaime Jaquez Jr. would make sophomore strides.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 May 2025
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Bronwen Sciortino, author & simplicity expert teaching easy ways to tailor-make healthy, happy & highly successful lives.—
Bronwen Sciortino,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
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To critics, the obvious answer would be ego, stubbornness or just plain stupidity.—
Robert Pearl,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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Head shots that are not even minor penalties according to an official is just blatant stupidity.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Mindless as tariffs are, the foolishness of tariff imposition is magnified when the individual behind the implementation demands that prices not reflect the initial error.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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From physical fights to is-he-or-isn’t-he paternity test foolishness and now revenge p-rn, the storylines can get out of control.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Use it to find and retrieve stray nuts or bolts in any crevice.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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Vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, kale and asparagus are also included in most low-carb diets—as are eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt and nuts like walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts and pistachios.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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