asinine
ASS-ih-nine
/ˈæs.ɪ.naɪn/
Extremely stupid, foolish, or obstinate.
Strongly pejorative; compares human behavior to the stubborn, irrational obstinacy associated with donkeys.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'asinus' (donkey), 'asinine' originally meant 'belonging to an ass'. Because European folklore stereotyped donkeys as notoriously stubborn and foolish, the word evolved into a sharp descriptor for human foolishness.
Word relationships
- foolish: Foolish is mild and broad, while asinine is sharp, aggressive, and highly insulting.
- fatuous: Fatuous stresses self-satisfied foolishness; asinine stresses stubborn, donkey-like absurdity.
- wise: Wise reflects deep judgment and understanding.
- sensible: Sensible indicates sound practical decision-making.
Commonly confused with
- assassinate: Assassinate means to murder prominent persons; asinine means stupid or donkey-like.
Word family
- asininity (noun): Extreme foolishness or donkey-like stubbornness.
Collocations
- asinine behavior
- asinine remark
- asinine rule
- asinine statement
Example sentences
- "The council member dismissed the proposal as an asinine waste of taxpayer dollars." Public debate
- "It was asinine to leave the keys inside the unlocked car overnight." Family disagreement
Memory hook
ASS-i-nine contains 'ASS' (donkey); picture nine stubborn donkeys acting stupidly. Donkey-level stupidity.
When not to use
Avoid in polite or formal corporate settings as it is considered harsh and insulting.
Fun facts
- In zoology, 'asinine' can still technically mean 'relating to donkeys', though English speakers almost exclusively use it as an insult.
Explore more words
Pigheaded, Mulish, Obstinate, exasperate, Pertinacious, derision
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