What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
witless
Example
He made a witless decision to invest all his money in a scam. [witless: adjective]
Example
She acted witlessly by leaving her car unlocked in a high-crime area. [witlessly: adverb]
foolish
Example
It was foolish of him to quit his job without having another one lined up. [foolish: adjective]
Example
She felt foolish wearing a clown costume to the formal event. [foolish: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Foolish is more commonly used than witless in everyday language. Foolish is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while witless is less common and has a stronger negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between witless and foolish?
Both witless and foolish are informal and can be used in casual conversations. However, witless may be considered more offensive and should be used with caution in formal settings.
