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Glite Dictionary
sottise

sottise

9.9
A silly action or remark that shows little thought
  • noun
  • /ˈsɑːtəˌzi/
  • Archaic
translation icon : sandez
  • The sottise business—it struck him later that a psychiatrist might have found it interesting that in those circumstances a word meaning foolishness, folly, should pop into his head—happened on a Friday, and the following Monday he found in his box the pink slip announcing her withdrawal from the course, three weeks before the end of the term.

Examples

  • His constant joking was just a form of sottise that annoyed everyone in the meeting.

  • Still hoping that yesterday's mischance had an explanation that freed him from blame, he pretended to forget the meaning of the French word sottise and asked her to define it.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The film was filled with sottise, making it difficult to take the storyline seriously.

  • Everyone laughed at his sottise, realizing he was just trying to lighten the mood.

Synonyms

silliness
vssottise
29 2.6

Playful or foolish behavior that is not serious and often funny

is about a foolish remark or act rather than a general quality
poppycock
vssottise
  • Informal
10 9.9

Silly talk that is not true

is broader foolish remark or action not only speech
foolery
vssottise
2 6.1

Silly, harmless behavior that makes people laugh

is also used for brief remarks or silly words not just behavior
shmegegge
vssottise
  • Slang
1 9.9

Silly talk that is not true

is any foolish remark or act rather than mainly insincere speech
tarradiddle
vssottise
  • Archaic
9.9

Untrue or silly talk that is not important

is any foolish remark or act rather than boastful talk
blellum
vssottise
  • Slang
9.9

A silly or pointless action, for example a useless remark

is the general idea of silliness or nonsense beyond single acts

Antonyms

sense
∞ 3.7

Good practical judgment about what to do

wisdom
571 2.7

To use what you know and have learned to make good choices and give good advice

How Foolish

idiocy
  • Offensive
40 8.0
absurdity
54 6.1
folly
59 7.3
sottise
  • Archaic
9.9
silliness
29 2.6

Surface Forms

sottise singular
sottises plural

Etymology

The word sottise comes from the French word sot, meaning 'fool'. So a sottise is a 'foolish thing' or silly remark, which is why the word means nonsense or a foolish act.