1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
only a fool would attempt to climb that mountain unprepared
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clown
a person formerly kept in a royal or noble household to amuse with jests and pranks
a king's fool could get away with saying things that others in the palace couldn't
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sucker
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
I'm a fool for ice cream
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
he's always got some fool plan or other
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue
I fooled him into thinking that we were driving to the store, not to his surprise birthday party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to joke
to make jokes
an edgy comedian fooling with an appreciative college audience
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fool
Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
That fool’s from my family’s hometown over there in Mexico.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 July 2025
The study is a fascinating reminder that evolution doesn’t always aim for perfection, and that one only needs to fool a predator just enough to stay alive.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fool
Noun
President Trump has repeatedly called Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell stupid, terrible, a fool, and referred to him as a person of average mentality.
—Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
That fool’s from my family’s hometown over there in Mexico.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Verb
Don’t be fooled by its compact size — the Air Fryer Pro XL has a generous 6.5-quart nonstick basket that’s large enough to hold five pounds of French fries or nine pounds of chicken wings.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 July 2025
The study is a fascinating reminder that evolution doesn’t always aim for perfection, and that one only needs to fool a predator just enough to stay alive.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fool
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fool
Noun
-
An evil clown turned serial killer who terrorizes a fictional New York City borough during Halloween and Christmas will join a maniacal lineup of murderers, mutants and monsters during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
-
White-stripe nails Circus-stripe nails Just like a striped Big Top tent, this circus set is complete with stars and clowns.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
The reserve is heavily wooded with more than 25 tree species that are the domain of warblers, crows, wrens, hawks, woodpeckers, sap suckers, owls, bald eagles, vultures and great herons.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
When my daughter and I are outside, these pesky blood suckers feast.—
Cheryl Fenton,
Parents,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Marlins would be foolish to trade away an ace with affordable team control at his lowest value ever.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
-
Schulman’s characters make enough foolish and self-indulgent choices to fill a volume twice the size of this slim one.—
Book Marks
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Step two: Defend against junk fees These nefarious fees are designed either to confuse or deceive consumers.—
Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
7 July 2025
-
Several state legislators and other state officials will testify that they were deceived by the conspirators regarding the operations of Phoenix Solutions, according to prosecutors.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
But whether with Felix or on her own, Jessica is a bit all over the map, with her behavior frequently feeling like it’s meant to meet the needs of a particular scene or joke rather than as a consistent throughline for the season.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
11 July 2025
-
There were a lot of pranks, joking and just overall funny stuff that went on behind the scenes in or around the lunchroom.—
Corky Carroll,
Oc Register,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For lovers of art, architecture, and history, don't miss the Achilleion, a palace-turned-museum that was once the private refuge of the beloved Empress Elisabeth of Austria.—
Mina Agnos,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
-
Thomasville is full of Queen Anne and Victorian architecture and serves as a quiet weekend retreat for lovers of architecture, gardens, and good food.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, the series seems determined to prove that age is just a number by forcing its leads, now including Choudhury and Parker, to act as if 50 is the new (and very stupid) 30.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
-
Jurassic Park, based on the Michael Crichton best-seller, is an evolutionary joke: Man, the master of the universe, has become mere flesh, consumed by animals allegedly too stupid to survive.—
David Denby,
Vulture,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fool. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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