ninny

noun

ˈni-nē How to pronounce ninny (audio)
Definition of ninnynext
1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment only a ninny would try to cross a swollen, raging river

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person was such a ninny that he kept forgetting my name, even though I was wearing a name tag

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ninny Jane Austen wrote takedowns of this kind of ninny two centuries ago — how fun to see Pike update her twit to the post-Y2K era. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Kopas, who wisely eschews hamming, makes Frank a spry, eloquent presence, although more dourness in the play’s initial scenes might help his character stand out from the salon’s cheerful ninnies. — Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 May 2023 Because some ninny has not read the user manual. — Sarah Barker, Outside Online, 19 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ninny
  1. fool
  2. goose
  3. stupid
Noun
  • Unfortunately, building massive scale factories here in the US to replace overseas production would be a fool’s errand.
    — Robert C. Wolcott, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • After a brief fool’s spring, New York City plunged once again into a cold snap.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of fool
Noun
  • It’s not known what caused the goose to leave Wrigley.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • For one thing, the methods for growing and manipulating the embryonic precursors of avian sperm and eggs in a lab setting have been developed for only two birds: the chicken and, recently, the goose.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of goose
Noun
  • Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid.
    — Caroline Downey, National Review, 27 Mar. 2025
  • An underrated gem — not enough people have seen this top-tier season — Squirrels Trip has some fabulous vocals, very funny lyrics, a heavy dose of stupid, and an engaging story.
    — Barry Levitt, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of stupid

Browse Nearby Words

ninnies
ninny
ninnyhammer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ninny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ninny. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on ninny

Nglish: Translation of ninny for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All