1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea
the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly
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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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of folly
Nye County’s folly is just one example of a pattern that is remarkably consistent: outside of the tiniest jurisdictions, hand counting is hard, slow, expensive, and highly unreliable.
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Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Oct. 2024
The Republican rout on November 5, 2024, is seen as an example of Americans standing up to the fiscal folly of the left.
—Mike Patton, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
The fact that such an error feels inconsequential amid all the special teams follies the Niners have committed this season speaks volumes.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Much of that also surely paid to expand Hamas’ mammoth underground fortress, now estimated at some 500 miles of tunnels, where Israeli soldiers and hostages have paid with their lives for Netanyahu’s folly.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for folly 
Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Oct. 2024
The Republican rout on November 5, 2024, is seen as an example of Americans standing up to the fiscal folly of the left.
—Mike Patton, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
The fact that such an error feels inconsequential amid all the special teams follies the Niners have committed this season speaks volumes.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Much of that also surely paid to expand Hamas’ mammoth underground fortress, now estimated at some 500 miles of tunnels, where Israeli soldiers and hostages have paid with their lives for Netanyahu’s folly.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for folly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly
Noun
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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
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That’s still a bit shy, though, of the insanity that surrounded Stanley cups at their peak.Chris Morris, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But what of the apologists for madness and criminality, the comfortable sophists who invert morality to score partisan points?Matthew Continetti, National Review, 14 Dec. 2024
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Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths Plenty of 2024 movies were of the mind that the only way to respond to a world gone mad is with more madness.Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The art world, like the artwork itself, exists in a delicate balance of elitism and absurdity, meaning and nonsense.Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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The basic idea here is that Vince Vaughn is doing his mid-aughts-dirtbag Vince Vaughn thing but on Christmas — a premise that’s laid on a foundation of plausible-sounding nonsense.Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Many have judged both him and us based on accusations, conspiracy theories, and false narratives that have spiraled into absurdity on social media.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
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Brought to life through campy, surrealist sets and unforgettable cameos, the show takes the viewer through a series of dreamlike vignettes that brilliantly articulate the absurdity and tedium of life under late-capitalism.Samantha Allen, Them, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Embracing Simplicity In Modern Solutions Modern hardware capabilities allow for a paradigm shift toward simplicity.Avery Pennarun, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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The track’s production, helmed by DJ Pooh, achieves emotional depth through masterful simplicity.Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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After being laid off from the local hot dog factory and being inducted into a new basic income program, Mark and Hank have plenty of time on their hands to spend their $3,000 monthly checks on high jinks and foolishness.Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024
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Five glorious days for Chiles, who already had been made to endure the rollercoaster of gymnastics rule foolishness.Dana O'Neil, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Try sprinkling ground flaxseed or chia seeds on granola and yogurt, and snack on small quantities of nuts during the day.Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
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The best choices for you and the planet Another important omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, is found in nuts and seeds such as walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds — with ground flaxseeds and flaxseed oil providing the highest amounts, according to Harvard Medical School’s website.Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near folly
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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