Vocabulary Spotlight
Asinine
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Extremely foolish or stupid; lacking sound judgment.
“The manager quickly dismissed the asinine proposal that would have cost the company thousands.”
Pronunciation
[ˈæs.ɪˌnaɪn]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Ridiculous
Absurd
Preposterous
Senseless
Antonyms
Sensible
Intelligent
Logical
Prudent
Related Words
Stupid (adjective)
Irrational (adjective)
Word Origin
“Asinine” originates from the Latin word “asinus,” meaning “donkey.” In ancient times, donkeys were often seen as stubborn or unintelligent animals, leading to the word being associated with foolish or stupid behavior. The term entered English in the 16th century and is now commonly used to describe actions or ideas lacking in common sense.
Word Family
Noun: Asininity – The quality or state of being foolish or absurd.
Adjective: Asinine – Extremely foolish or absurd.
Mnemonics
A Silly Idea Not Intelligent Nor Educated
This mnemonic helps remember “asinine” as something foolish or lacking intelligence.
Another mnemonic: Think of “asinine” as “a-sin” – a foolish action that goes against wisdom, as if it were a “sin” against reason.
Industry-specific Usage
Business
In business, “asinine” describes proposals, ideas, or decisions that are unrealistic or impractical, often failing to consider basic logic or financial consequences.
Politics
In political discourse, “asinine” may be used to criticize policies or statements perceived as lacking sound judgment or understanding of complex issues.
Education
In education, “asinine” might refer to ineffective teaching practices or policies that do not contribute to meaningful learning or progress.
In Context
The term “asinine” is often used to describe actions, ideas, or comments that defy common sense or show a lack of reasoning. For example, an asinine decision in daily life might be ignoring safety rules or engaging in clearly unwise behavior. In conversations, calling something “asinine” often conveys frustration with ideas seen as silly or absurd.
In broader societal discourse, labeling an idea as “asinine” typically implies that it fails to address reality or overlooks important consequences, marking it as imprudent or senseless.