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
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
With Love, Meghan became the talk of the town thanks to its delectable recipes (the honey cake is a win), while The Residence quickly gained fans for its zany whodunnit plot.
—Alicia Lansom, Refinery29, 31 Mar. 2025
Fishburne praised the zany comedy series for employing a diverse lineup of talent.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Its eccentricity is endless, with a heartfelt solo here, a zany sequence there, and a glitzy grand finale to cap it all off.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Adjective
Josh Hutcherson is back as Mike, the security guard who must babysit the zany, spooky and dumpy Chuck E. Cheese-like pizza parlor.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
With Love, Meghan became the talk of the town thanks to its delectable recipes (the honey cake is a win), while The Residence quickly gained fans for its zany whodunnit plot.
—Alicia Lansom, Refinery29, 31 Mar. 2025
Fishburne praised the zany comedy series for employing a diverse lineup of talent.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Its eccentricity is endless, with a heartfelt solo here, a zany sequence there, and a glitzy grand finale to cap it all off.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
-
This strategy worked for him for about 10 years—and then began to bore him silly.—
Art Spiegelman,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Believing in any conspiracy theory, even one that seems as inoffensive or silly as the flat Earth theory, can set a person up to fall into larger conspiracy theories, Dashtgard says, like the idea that feminism is a global conspiracy meant to drag men down.—
Fortesa Latifi,
Rolling Stone,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In real time, the audience, the queens watching, and perhaps Suzie herself all learn that Suzie has a knack for sexiness onstage, even though she’s dressed as a clown.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Among the mass-shooting victims is a bloodied clown who was performing at the festival.—
James Poniewozik,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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,
21 Mar. 2025
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Attracting talent for greater innovation hazards acquiring a few eccentrics whose gifts come wrapped in controversial packaging.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This whole exercise of proving the absence of antisemitism as a prerequisite to criticizing Israeli government policy is absurd.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Still, the sexist double standards around pockets have continued to be present in absurd ways.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
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These days, costumes range from fairy-tale characters, clowns and harlequins to Napoleonic soldiers and celebrities.—
Matt Ralphs,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Reports from Italy suggest Motta’s lack of empathy, his coldness in character, also played a part in his dismissal.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The series’s expansion of the portrait of the prince’s other children is at first welcome, but this determination to better round out secondary characters soon becomes an enormous problem.—
Anthony Paletta,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Friendships built on insecurity, where men constantly have to prove their manhood, are a breeding ground for toxic attitudes and stupid decision-making.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Also, his team told him over the radio, basically, don’t do anything stupid, Nato is going to be penalized for not using all his Attack Mode.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While tailback isn’t a need, only foolish franchises pass up adding generational talents such as Jeanty.—
Omar Kelly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2025
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Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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