Synonyms
Examples of ninny in a Sentence
only a ninny would try to cross a swollen, raging river
was such a ninny that he kept forgetting my name, even though I was wearing a name tag
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Sure enough, the team at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an organization that provides food to more than 700 pantries throughout the Chicago area, contacted me and said a conservative donor who thinks me quite the ninny had donated $10,000.
—Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, 16 Dec. 2021
This Macbeth is something of a ninny, a lightweight who lounges on a throne that seems far too big for him.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 2 Nov. 2019
When this became public knowledge, Stephen Spender, Lasky’s deputy and more a ninny than a poet, resigned.
—David Pryce-Jones, National Review, 22 Aug. 2019
But the story goes that mall proponents had to overcome three tremendous obstacles: the Great Depression, World War II, and the city’s anti-growth ninnies.
—oregonlive.com, 1 Aug. 2019
There are plenty of things that people want to do at theme parks and water parks, including scream like ninnies on thrill rides, be transported to fantastic realms on sophisticated attractions, and cool down on exhilarating water slides.
—Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, 13 June 2018
The Haggler notes that the dull and windy ninny whose name is attached to this column has flown all over the world and never contemplated buying a policy.
—David Segal, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2016
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Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 May 2023
Because some ninny has not read the user manual.
—Sarah Barker, Outside Online, 19 Mar. 2021
Sure enough, the team at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an organization that provides food to more than 700 pantries throughout the Chicago area, contacted me and said a conservative donor who thinks me quite the ninny had donated $10,000.
—Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, 16 Dec. 2021
This Macbeth is something of a ninny, a lightweight who lounges on a throne that seems far too big for him.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 2 Nov. 2019
When this became public knowledge, Stephen Spender, Lasky’s deputy and more a ninny than a poet, resigned.
—David Pryce-Jones, National Review, 22 Aug. 2019
But the story goes that mall proponents had to overcome three tremendous obstacles: the Great Depression, World War II, and the city’s anti-growth ninnies.
—oregonlive.com, 1 Aug. 2019
There are plenty of things that people want to do at theme parks and water parks, including scream like ninnies on thrill rides, be transported to fantastic realms on sophisticated attractions, and cool down on exhilarating water slides.
—Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, 13 June 2018
The Haggler notes that the dull and windy ninny whose name is attached to this column has flown all over the world and never contemplated buying a policy.
—David Segal, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2016
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ninny.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
perhaps by shortening & alteration from an innocent
First Known Use
1593, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ninny
Cite this Entry
“Ninny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ninny. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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