The word "foolish" is an adjective that generally means lacking good sense or judgment, or being silly and unwise.
- Wise
- "Wise" is a primary antonym of "foolish". When someone is wise, they have the ability to make good judgments and decisions based on knowledge, experience, and understanding. For example, a foolish person might spend all their money on impulse buys without thinking about the future, while a wise person would budget and save for important things like education, retirement, or emergencies.
- We often use phrases like "a foolish mistake" and the opposite would be "a wise choice". A wise choice is one that is well - thought - out and likely to lead to a positive outcome, whereas a foolish mistake is one that is made without proper consideration and can lead to negative consequences.
- Sensible
- "Sensible" is also an antonym of "foolish". A sensible person is practical and has common sense. They do things in a reasonable way. For instance, a foolish person might go out in the rain without an umbrella and get soaked, while a sensible person would check the weather forecast and bring an umbrella if needed.
- In a sentence, we could say "It's foolish to believe everything you hear." The opposite would be "It's sensible to question and verify the information you receive."
- Intelligent
- "Intelligent" implies having a high level of mental ability, including the capacity to learn, reason, and understand. A foolish person may struggle to understand complex concepts or make logical deductions, while an intelligent person can easily do so. For example, a foolish student might not study for an exam and expect to pass, while an intelligent student would prepare thoroughly.
- We can say "His foolish behavior in the meeting was embarrassing." The opposite could be "His intelligent contributions to the meeting were highly valued."
In summary, words like "wise", "sensible", and "intelligent" are antonyms of "foolish" as they represent qualities that are the opposite of being lacking in good sense or judgment.