fatuous
/'fætjuəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Foolish or silly, especially in a complacent or self-satisfied way: Describes a person, idea, or action that is devoid of intelligence, showing a lack of good sense or judgment, often in a way that is unconsciously absurd.
Usage
The adjective "fatuous" is used to describe something that is not just unwise but vacuously, pointlessly, or smugly foolish. It often carries a tone of contempt or strong criticism. It typically modifies nouns like "remark," "comment," "idea," "grin," "optimism," or "person."
Examples
- The politician's fatuous promises were immediately dismissed by serious analysts.
- She tired of his fatuous comments during the important meeting.
- A fatuous smile spread across his face, revealing he hadn't understood the gravity of the situation.
Advanced Usage
- "Fatuous self-satisfaction": A state of being foolishly pleased with oneself.
- His fatuous self-satisfaction prevented him from seeing the obvious flaws in his plan.
- Used in formal or literary criticism to denote empty, pretentious, or vacuous thinking.
- The critic panned the film for its fatuous dialogue and predictable plot.
Variants and Related Words
- Fatuity (noun): The quality or state of being fatuous; a fatuous remark or action.
- The debate was marked by moments of sheer fatuity.
- Fatuously (adverb): In a fatuous manner.
- He nodded fatuously, pretending to comprehend the complex theory.
Synonyms
- Asinine: Extremely stupid or foolish.
- Inane: Silly; stupid.
- Vacuous: Having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless.
- Witless: Foolish; stupid.
Antonyms
- Sagacious: Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd.
- Astute: Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
- Perceptive: Having or showing sensitive insight.
Adjective
- devoid of intelligence