stupid foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stupid foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a lack of intelligence or common sense in a person or action, often in a colloquial or informal context. Example: "His decision to invest in that failing company was just stupid foolish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For an extreme example, there is a non-zero probability that in 1000 years, the notion of "fiction" may well not exist, in which case an episode of "Friends" or "Seinfeld" become biographical portraits of stupid foolish people, as one needs to have the fictive distance to decode what is happening.

TechCrunch

1) "I was just implying that it's stupid/foolish/absurd". - If you are trying to say something is stupid, foolish or absurd then say something is stupid, foolish or absurd.

HuffPost

That could be matched by the list of those who are "merely" stupid, foolish, or incompetent.

Huffington Post

Telling a child that they are "too sensitive, stupid, foolish, idiotic, wicked, etc".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We all say stupid and foolish things.

The Guardian

A hateful epithet for stupid or foolish is just that.

The Guardian

Nothing makes people more stupid and foolish than money and fear".

The Guardian

Mr. Mugabe described the comments as "stupid and foolish thinking" because only Zimbabweans could make such a decision, he said.

The New York Times

Iggy Pop is a pure Michigan product gritty, smart, but not afraid of looking stupid or foolish.

The Guardian - Books

In this bighearted landscape, everyone wants to help and no one is made to feel stupid or foolish — even at the inevitable moment of epiphany.

The New York Times - Books

She picks her words carefully, apologising when she can feel tears coming, continually calling herself "stupid" and "foolish" for mistakes she says she has made.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stupid foolish" to emphasize the dual nature of an action or idea that is both unintelligent and lacking in good judgment. This can add a layer of emphasis compared to using either word alone.

Common error

Avoid using "stupid foolish" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing, as the redundancy can become tiresome for the reader. Vary your phrasing with synonyms or more specific descriptors to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stupid foolish" functions as a compound adjective, typically used to describe a noun, emphasizing both a lack of intelligence and poor judgment. It amplifies the negative connotation, indicating a particularly ill-advised or senseless action or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stupid foolish" is a compound adjective used to describe something that is both unintelligent and lacking in good judgment. Ludwig confirms it is usable in English, although care should be taken to avoid overuse and maintain variety in writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to informal register. While grammatically correct, alternatives such as "utterly foolish" or "ridiculously stupid" may provide a more nuanced expression depending on the specific context. The key takeaway is to use "stupid foolish" judiciously to effectively convey a strong sense of disapproval or criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly foolish

Emphasizes the degree of foolishness, suggesting complete lack of good sense.

ridiculously stupid

Highlights the absurdity of the stupidity involved.

patently absurd

Indicates that the absurdity is obvious and undeniable.

unthinkably unwise

Stresses the lack of wisdom and foresight in the action or decision.

incredibly idiotic

Emphasizes the extreme level of idiocy.

downright silly

Suggests a more playful or less severe form of foolishness.

remarkably unintelligent

Focuses on the noticeable lack of intelligence.

mindlessly inane

Highlights the lack of thought and the emptiness of the action or statement.

foolhardy and dumb

Combines recklessness with a lack of intelligence.

senselessly absurd

Emphasizes the lack of reason or purpose behind the absurdity.

FAQs

How can I use "stupid foolish" in a sentence?

You can use "stupid foolish" to describe actions, ideas, or decisions that are both unintelligent and lacking in good judgment. For example: "Investing in that company was a "stupid foolish" decision."

Are "stupid" and "foolish" synonyms? If so, is using them together redundant?

While "stupid" and "foolish" share similar meanings, "foolish" often implies a lack of wisdom or common sense, whereas "stupid" suggests a lack of intelligence. Using them together as "stupid foolish" can emphasize both aspects, though it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy.

What are some alternatives to saying "stupid foolish"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "utterly "foolish"", "ridiculously "stupid"", or "patently "absurd"" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use two adjectives like "stupid foolish" together?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use two adjectives together, especially when they modify the same noun and provide different but related qualities. However, ensure that the combination adds value and doesn't become repetitive or awkward.