INANITY Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

inanity

noun

i-ˈna-nə-tē

Definition of inanity

as in insanity

a foolish act or idea quickly realized that her suggestion was an inanity and withdrew it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in madness

lack of good sense or judgment the jaw-dropping inanity of the singer's comments on the awards show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of inanity In fact, Poppick seems determined to prove that submerging yourself in the inanity of the grindset can pay creative dividends. — Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026 Moira was O’Hara in full sketch mode, charging each elaborate costume and line of dialogue with so much inanity the character should never have been believable as a real person. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026 In which SpongeBob and Gary the Snail have a conversation about string cheese, and the Flying Dutchman goes crazy at the sheer inanity of it. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Dec. 2025 The inanity and nihilism is still there, but tinged with something darker and more permanent, a sense that the rules of capitalism changed. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inanity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inanity

Noun

The law revised Kentucky’s insanity defense and mandatory reentry supervision rules in response to issues raised by Exantus’ case.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
If certain compounds could seemingly induce the symptoms of insanity, then perhaps insanity was a result of faulty brain chemistry—and could thus be treated with psychiatric drugs.

— Kimon de Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of insanity

Noun

The morning of the wedding could be spent escaping the madness for a moment of peace among the trees, or arranging a pre-wedding morning coffee overlooking the estate.

— Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Back in King’s Landing, Rhaenyra comes to find that her prisoner Helaena has taken her own life but left a parting gift for the queen that foreshadows a potential prophecy of Rhaenyra’s path towards madness.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of madness

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

Instead, the museum focuses on language, relationships, self-mockery, and life’s absurdities, with rakija served to visitors as the ultimate symbol of Balkan resilience.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Zinn also lived through some of the absurdities that Yossarian encountered.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026