as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
a zany plan to drive cross-country on a motorized scooter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clown
a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior
hired a zany to entertain the children at the birthday party
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits
one of the challenges of hosting a radio call-in program is preventing the zanies from completely taking over the discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of zany
Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler have a history of making fans laugh with their zany comedies — and sometimes those fans can’t even tell them apart.
—Rachel Desantis, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
After Stern retired in 2014, the code was relaxed, allowing for progressively zanier ’fits.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Bong being Bong — and judging from the colorfully zany trailer — this adaptation of an Edward Ashton novel will likely make class warfare a key theme.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for zany 
Adjective
Those kinds of connections are everywhere in this wonderfully zany sport.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler have a history of making fans laugh with their zany comedies — and sometimes those fans can’t even tell them apart.
—Rachel Desantis, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
After Stern retired in 2014, the code was relaxed, allowing for progressively zanier ’fits.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Bong being Bong — and judging from the colorfully zany trailer — this adaptation of an Edward Ashton novel will likely make class warfare a key theme.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
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Today, Sophia Smith, a Colorado kid whose commute from Windsor and dedication to soccer makes my story look silly, is making more than $500,000 a year in her new contract with the Portland Thorns, and reports say her outside contracts and sponsorships are worth another $1.2 million.—
Megan Schrader,
The Denver Post,
9 Feb. 2025
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The way bacon is packaged in this country is silly.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While the aforementioned gamer creep threatens to rob us of silly confrontational television, there’s been one thing stopping them and making season three entertaining: The Traitors picked this season are dysfunctional clowns.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
6 Feb. 2025
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There was a good joke buried in that conceit: maybe only clowns spend as much time in the makeup chair as the drag artists that have provided Roan the inspiration for her primary look.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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My dedication, to help the waifs and strays and eccentrics of the music world together, continues to this day.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2024
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Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain.—
Josh Bell,
Vulture,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This gorgeous film’s premise is a simple, humanist, and not particularly dramatic one, of the type that the Italian neorealists treasured, but it’s been given an absurd, comic-romantic spin.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
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These absurd names and acronyms speak to both the cult-y side of the Eagans and to the ways that corporations keep trying to reinvent things, words included, that worked just fine as is.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But this harlequin moll can’t match Joker’s lunacy as either lawbreaker or musician.—
Armond White,
National Review,
29 Nov. 2024
-
The doll, which is called the Witch Weaver, wears flared bell-bottoms, a gossamer harlequin blouse, gold waistcoat and crystal headpiece — taking inspiration from Reed’s signature design codes, personal style and even Lady Gaga.—
Violet Goldstone,
WWD,
21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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McConnell impressed first-team staff during Liverpool’s 2023 pre-season tour of Singapore with his character, attitude in training and ability to listen and absorb information.—
Andy Jones,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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The film sees smart characters scheme and connive among one another to find a way to win.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The premise itself is both deeply stupid and incredibly clever (the sweet spot, really).—
Erin Strecker,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2025
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Some of the replies were the usual stupid snark on social media from people who thrive on being negative.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The bottom line: try not to be weather wise, climate foolish.—
Renee Winick,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Trump's plan for redevelopment of Gaza Strip is both foolish and unworkable, not a great combination.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near zany
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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