FOLLY Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

folly

noun

ˈfä-lē

Definition of folly

as in insanity

a foolish act or idea the American purchase of Alaska was originally considered a grand folly

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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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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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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of folly Organizations that have spent decades pretending that the best way to find a new audience is to alienate your existing one are beginning to realize the cost of their folly. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 7 June 2026 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 Kate Fry, whose assignment here as Gretl requires a temporal transition from the coquettish and sensuous to a character rich with the moral authority of experience and an ability to judge the folly of others, is quite extraordinary. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 This extravagant, cartoonish, and shockingly unfunny folly about the hysteria surrounding a Japanese invasion of California shows a boy-wonder director testing his limits — and overstepping them. — Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for folly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly

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

In the midst of the final stretch of World Cup madness, here are eight shows happening in Kansas City in July.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Either Cody or Gunther wins because Sami gets screwed; Zayn will then further descend into madness and attack someone after the bell.

— Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of madness

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

Mixing knits with leather creates texture and contrast in the outfit, while the height and simplicity of these solid-color boots helps ground the overall look.

— Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 6 July 2026
Professionals must actively map where their risk truly lies, assessing counterparty exposure, income correlation, and cost repricing, rather than mistaking simplicity for safety.

— Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of simplicity

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

Noun

Any larger Hollywood studio would have likely insisted on a grander finale, but The Death of Robin Hood, produced by A24, left me pondering the foolishness of my need for such a denouement.

— David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
The popular Instagram page @touronsofnationalparks is known for spotlighting the foolishness of people in national parks.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026

Definition of foolishness

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folly

foment

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“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of folly

noun

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