Synonyms for

Fooling

Verb / ˈfu:lɪŋ / Another word for fooling — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to deceive or trick someone

Synonyms & similar words

horsearound shoot arsearound putoneacross casual befool frivolaway foolaway takein putoneover fritteraway dupe dissipate foolaround fool gull slang cod fritter puton trick deceive mislead dupe hoodwink cheat bamboozle delude hoax decoy beguile gull swindle double-cross defraud

Synonyms by register

Formal

deceiving misleading duping

Informal

joking kidding messing around pulling someone's leg

Literary

beguiling deluding

Antonyms

wise sensible prudent shrewd astute sagacious

Common collocations

  • fooling around
  • fooling with
  • fooling no one
  • fooling the public
  • fooling around with
  • fooling the system

Word family

noun fool
verb fool
adjective foolish
adverb foolishly

Usage note

The informal sense of 'fooling' often implies lighthearted deception or jesting. The formal sense relates to more serious deception or trickery.

Example sentences

  1. She was fooling herself into thinking that he would change.
  2. He tried to fool his friends by pretending to be sick.
  3. The magician was fooling the audience with his tricks.
  4. Don't try to fool me, I know what you're doing.
  5. She realized she had been fooled by the salesman's promises.

Quotes

  • It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere. - Voltaire
  • The greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer. - Charles Caleb Colton
  • A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool. - William Shakespeare

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