noun
imbecility
im-buh-SIL-uh-tee/ˌɪmbəˈsɪləti/
Extreme stupidity or foolishness.
Ignoring every warning shows the sheer imbecility of his plan.
Etymology
Latin imbecillitas referred to weakness, especially bodily weakness, but also weakness of mind. The mental sense leads to the modern meaning of extreme stupidity or foolish behavior; the word’s deeper origin is uncertain.
More examples
- The report exposes the imbecility of cutting safety inspections.
- She shakes her head at the imbecility of the rumor.
- It is sheer imbecility to share your password with strangers.
Forms
imbecility
imbecile noun — An insulting term for a foolish person.
imbecilic adjective — Extremely foolish or lacking good judgment.
Similar words
- stupidity
- Stresses a lack of intelligence rather than absurd conduct.
- foolishness
- Can describe milder lapses in judgment or silly behavior.
- idiocy
- Similarly harsh, often emphasizing how absurd an action seems.