Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely foolish or stupid: "asinine" describes ideas, actions, or behavior that are utterly lacking in intelligence, common sense, or good judgment. It implies a level of stupidity that is frustrating or ridiculous.
   • Resembling or characteristic of an ass (donkey): In a literal, though now rare, sense, it can mean pertaining to or like a donkey.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • The politician's asinine comment offended everyone. (The politician's extremely foolish comment offended everyone.)
  • It would be asinine to go hiking in this severe storm. (It would be utterly stupid to go hiking in this severe storm.)
  • We wasted an hour because of an asinine administrative error. (We wasted an hour because of a ridiculous administrative error.)

Advanced Usage

• "asinine behavior": Conduct that is remarkably foolish.
  • His asinine behavior during the meeting cost him the client's respect.
• "asinine suggestion": A proposal so lacking in sense it is almost insulting.
  • The committee dismissed the asinine suggestion immediately.

Variants and Related Words

• Asininity (noun): The quality of being asinine; extreme foolishness.
  • The sheer asininity of the plan was obvious to all.

Synonyms

• Foolish
• Stupid
• Idiotic
• Inane
• Senseless
• Absurd

Antonyms

• Intelligent
• Sensible
• Wise
• Judicious
• Prudent

Notes on Meaning

The word carries a strong connotation of contempt or derision. It is more forceful than "silly" or "foolish" and is used to express strong criticism of something perceived as profoundly stupid. Its etymological root in "ass" (donkey) contributes to its pejorative strength.

Adjective

1. devoid of intelligence