Synonyms for "foolish"
13 kid-friendly synonyms for foolish, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).
What does "foolish" mean?
The word foolish is an adjective that means: not making smart choices.
Example: "It is foolish to skip breakfast."
Grade K–2Easy synonyms for foolish
Younger kids can use these in place of "foolish":
Grade 3–5Stronger words for foolish
For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:
Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for foolish
Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:
Opposites of foolish (antonyms)
Words that mean the opposite of foolish:
FAQ — synonyms for foolish
What is a good synonym for foolish in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try silly. For older students, "unwise" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does foolish have?
We list 13 grade-appropriate synonyms for foolish across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is foolish a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, foolish is used as an adjective.
🦒 Try the live tool
Look up another word in the Synonym Finder.
Open Synonym Finder for foolish →