1
: having or showing a lack of good sense, judgment, or discretion
a foolish mistake
She takes foolish risks.
2
a
: absurd, ridiculous
He looked foolish in that hat.
b
: marked by a loss of composure : nonplussed
He felt foolish when he couldn't remember where he had parked the car.
3
foolishly
adverb
Examples of foolish in a Sentence
He was wearing a foolish grin.
She's been taking foolish risks.
Those flashy clothes make her look foolish.
She must feel foolish wearing those flashy clothes.
I never thought you'd be foolish enough to believe him.
Recent Examples on the Web
This of course was foolish in light of the fact that trade deals are incredibly complicated and take a long time to finalize.
—
Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
The offer valued Alchemize at $2 million, well below Nazareth’s goal, but investor Daymond John suggested the founder would be foolish to walk away from a chance to partner with three Sharks.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important.
—Yolande Clark-Jackson, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
But if Ross decides to dump McDaniel, it would be justified after Sunday’s lifeless effort littered with penalties (11 for 103), foolish mistakes and the appearance of a team that was unprepared and disinterested.
—Barry Jackson
updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolish
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
The offer valued Alchemize at $2 million, well below Nazareth’s goal, but investor Daymond John suggested the founder would be foolish to walk away from a chance to partner with three Sharks.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important.
—Yolande Clark-Jackson, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
But if Ross decides to dump McDaniel, it would be justified after Sunday’s lifeless effort littered with penalties (11 for 103), foolish mistakes and the appearance of a team that was unprepared and disinterested.
—Barry Jackson
updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foolish
Cite this Entry
“Foolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foolish. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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