BETISE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

bêtise

noun

bā-ˈtēz

Definition of bêtise

as in blunder

a foolish act or idea writing a sequel to a Jane Austen novel must be regarded as a literary bêtise of the highest order

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for bêtise

Noun

There were mighty blunders off the field too under Jarmond, including an email that went out to donors that came with an attachment revealing personal information and spending tallies of the department’s biggest donors.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Common Mistakes When Cleaning Earbuds Take special care to avoid damaging your earbuds by avoiding these common blunders.

— Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of blunder

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

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

With that as the starting point, and the premise now fully in motion, season two hits the ground running with the wind of absurdity at its back.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
The position requires a particular combination of bravery, confidence and just enough absurdity.

— Asli Pelit, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of absurdity

Noun

The idea that any neighborhood can insulate itself from the effects of demand that far outstrips supply is folly.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026
The broader opportunity costs of the United States’ Middle Eastern follies are even more insidious.

— Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of folly

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

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.

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betimes

bêtise

bêtises

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“Bêtise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/b%C3%AAtise. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bêtise

noun

Example Sentences

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