BÊTISE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

bêtise

noun

bā-ˈtēz

Definition of bêtise

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for bêtise

Noun

Sometimes this was committed to good, such as the Marshall Plan and the Peace Corps, and sometimes to ill, as in a series of military blunders meant to quash godless Communism.

— Jim Rasenberger, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also fallen foul of Germany’s World Cup elimination by Paraguay, after stumbling into a social media debacle following a communications blunder.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of blunder

Noun

Iraq, Canada, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Qatar, Saudi Arabia After accidentally cursing President Saddam Hussein on stage, theater actor Salem convinces a military court of his insanity to escape a death sentence.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 July 2026
San Francisco trailed 6-1 at the time of Webb’s departure, and given Coors Field’s penchant for insanity, a comeback wasn’t out of the question.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

Definition of insanity

Noun

Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Fireworks, flags and BBQs are Fourth of July staples, but America’s 250th birthday brings an extra helping of absurdity to Coney Island.

— Geoff Clark OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of absurdity

Noun

Whereas, in early modern Italy, where the word comes from, the pedante—a professional teacher of Latin—was a figure associated with folly and intellectual overreach.

— Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 2026
The neoclassical decor of the folly is rather more romantic.

— Ian Phillips, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026

Definition of folly

Noun

Is there a level of insanity, vitriol and stupidity that is infiltrating almost every aspect of our modern society, regardless of your political or religious views?

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Warm, fuzzy feelings for noble stupidity are an American thing, especially in politics.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026

Definition of stupidity

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betimes

bêtise

bêtises

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“Bêtise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/b%C3%AAtise. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bêtise

noun

Example Sentences

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