bêtise

noun

bā-ˈtēz How to pronounce bêtise (audio)
Definition of bêtisenext
as in blunder
a foolish act or idea writing a sequel to a Jane Austen novel must be regarded as a literary bêtise of the highest order

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bêtise
  1. blunder
  2. insanity
  3. absurdity
  4. folly
  5. stupidity
Noun
  • Some economists say Fed officials could be making a blunder that risks reigniting inflation and undercutting their pledge to rely on the latest data when making rate decisions.
    Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Analysts said Ding made a crucial blunder in the deciding Game 14 that ultimately handed Gukesh the teen the title.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Definition of blunder
Noun
  • The legal team for Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course in September, is considering an insanity defense.
    Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 11 Dec. 2024
  • That’s still a bit shy, though, of the insanity that surrounded Stanley cups at their peak.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • Some bills memorably illustrated the absurdity of a system that turns ordinary mishaps into extraordinary revenues.
    Elisabeth Rosenthal, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
  • While the absurdity of Skibidi Toilet can be baffling to many (including Gen Z), its cultural impact has been so significant that Gerasimov is in talks with director Michael Bay to adapt a movie and television series.
    George Yang, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of absurdity
Noun
  • But Americans must guard carefully against falling prey to our own illusions and our own folly.
    Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Fortunately, companies need not wait until regulators realize their folly and can opt to do better today.
    Ameesh Divatia, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Definition of folly
Noun
  • Navalny’s memoir deftly exposes the infinite vices in the current Russian government that rewards venality, cowardice and stupidity but punishes integrity, brains and the courage to speak truth to power.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024
  • That may not be a huge sum of money in a county with an annual operating budget of nearly $5 billion, but it’s got to rank high in sheer stupidity or at least neglect.
    Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 13 Nov. 2024
Definition of stupidity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near bêtise

betimes

bêtise

bêtises

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Cite this Entry

“Bêtise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/b%C3%AAtise. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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