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View synonyms for fatuous

fatuous

[ fach-oo-uhs ]

adjective

  1. foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly; witless.

    Synonyms: dull-witted, dull, dense, dim, brainless

  2. Archaic. unreal; illusory.


fatuous

/ ˈfætjʊəs /

adjective

  1. complacently or inanely foolish
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈfatuously, adverb
  • ˈfatuousness, noun
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Other Words From

  • fat·u·ous·ly adverb
  • fat·u·ous·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fatuous1

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin fatuus “silly, foolish, idiotic”; -ous
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fatuous1

C17: from Latin fatuus ; related to fatiscere to gape
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Example Sentences

Wade' until he belatedly realized it wasn't popular, at which point he came up with his fatuous rationale that "everyone wanted it to go back to the states."

From Salon

And he has persuaded the official Republican Party, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to parrot his fatuous disclaimer that he will accept it if it's "free and fair."

From Salon

According to “Live From New York,” Chase appeared as a “fatuous anchorman” in screen tests weeks before the premiere.

As for Vance’s fatuous claim that Trump “worked in a bipartisan way to ensure that Americans had access to affordable care,” you have the right to ask what Vance has been smoking.

Gore we had a strict partisan decision with fatuous reasoning that even they realized should not ever be used in any other case.

From Salon

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When To Use

What are other ways to say fatuous?

The adjective fatuous describes people or things that are foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner. Do you know when to use fatuous, foolish, silly, inane, stupid, and asinine? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

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