asinine

[ as-uh-nahyn ]

adjective

1. foolish, unintelligent, or silly; stupid:

   It is surprising that supposedly intelligent people can make such asinine statements.

2. of or like an ass:

   asinine obstinacy;

   asinine features.

asinine

/ ˌæsɪˈnɪnɪtɪ; ˈæsɪˌnaɪn /

adjective

1. obstinate or stupid
2. resembling an ass

Derived Forms

• ˈasiˌninely, adverb
• asininity, noun

Other Words From

• asi·ninely adverb
• as·i·nin·i·ty [as-, uh, -, nin, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of asinine¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin asinīnus, equivalent to asin(us) ass ¹ + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of asinine¹

C16: from Latin asinīnus, from asinus ass ¹

Example Sentences

She: “There you go again, another reflexively asinine comment.”

From Los Angeles Times

Even if you buy the asinine notion that it's possible, it still doesn't make sense.

From Salon

Perhaps we will always need door-kickers, but should they be able to overrule ambassadors in order to execute a cruel and asinine operation in a friendly country?

From Salon

This asinine "assassination" lie isn't just a deflection technique by terrible people trying to flee from their own nagging consciences.

From Salon

So, I don’t care that Cooper wasn’t impressed by Cohen’s performance and find it completely asinine to tell me what he would think “If I was a juror.”

From Salon

When To Use

What are other ways to say asinine?

The adjective asinine describes things that are foolish or unintelligent, as in asinine remarks. Do you know when to use asinine, fatuous, silly, inane, stupid, and foolish? Find out on Thesaurus.com.