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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The Bloomsbury Group, the 20th-century group of writers and painters renowned for rejecting strict Victorian conventions, is prime example of this; their home, a haven of mismatched color, prints, and folly tucked into every room. — Alex Eagle, Vogue, 26 July 2026 The wall is a folly, in both the architectural and regular sense of the word. — Matt Seaton, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026 Edwards’s own version of a European-style parterre is built around a fountain and a decorative wood structure known as a folly, built and installed by Spearhead. — Myles McDonnell, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026 Adopting the Red Scare tactics of the last century seems unlikely to save Republicans from the political consequences of this folly. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for folly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for folly

Noun

Massachusetts law states that a person committed after a successful insanity defense can be recommitted over and over again, each time for a one-year period.

— Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result is what some people call insanity.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of insanity

Noun

Can a squad of scientists (including Kurt Russell) fight off madness and mayhem before the Thing overtakes them all?

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
This week the madness leaps from the stage to the screen as Stamptown premieres its first Netflix special Tuesday.

— Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of madness

Noun

Statham, who turned 59 this summer and is still in incredible shape, performs on his usual high-octane, no-time-for-nonsense level.

— Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
The nonsense began last year as a stunt tied to a cryptocurrency group, but more recently has been linked to groups protesting league policies.

— Greg Cote August 23, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of nonsense

Noun

It’s been a classic staple over decades of British comedy, which from Basil Fawlty to David Brent has rejoiced in puncturing pomposity to reveal idiocy and incompetence.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
The school board’s radical idiocy does not negate the state’s obligation to think about the longer haul — specifically, the structurally unbalanced budgets facing Chicago Public Schools as far as the eye can see.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of idiocy

Noun

The latest contestant in this recurring game of fiscal stupidity is Miami.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
That’s only made worse by the fact that it’s treated as some kind of grand betrayal rather than an impulsive act of youthful stupidity that will make for a good story one day.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of folly

noun

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