1
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
corny violin music during the movie's love scenes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rustical
tiresomely obvious and unsophisticated
the audience groaned as the emcee told one corny joke after another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of corny
Not in a corny romantic comedy, ‘this person completes me’ sort of tone.
—
Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
In the wrong director’s hands, the show could seem too grown up for kids and too corny for adults.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
At a photo booth, guests grabbed signs with all sorts of corny, apropos quips for a retirement party: Having fun is my new job.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
He’s beloved in the math and science wing, a big guy with a grin and graying hair who peppers lessons on polynomial functions with corny jokes.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corny
Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
In the wrong director’s hands, the show could seem too grown up for kids and too corny for adults.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
At a photo booth, guests grabbed signs with all sorts of corny, apropos quips for a retirement party: Having fun is my new job.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
He’s beloved in the math and science wing, a big guy with a grin and graying hair who peppers lessons on polynomial functions with corny jokes.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corny
Adjective
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Whether preserving the original design (like Adrienne Bailon in 2019) or creatively recycling it (as Troian Bellisario did at the 2020 Golden Globes), these sentimental pieces are finding new life.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
17 May 2025
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While the highlight of the weekend is usually the Dragon Boat Races — which have drawn competitors and crowds since 1991 — the sentimental favorite is the water lantern release onto the lake.—
Edwin Goei,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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Denver defeated Gang Green 10-9 last season in a rainy, sloppy affair at MetLife Stadium.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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In a less convincing performance, Guth’s goth staging might quickly start to look hokey.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2025
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Mina-Rau, with its floating silos and sweeping fields, just feels much more lived-in and realistic than Snyder’s hokey Veldt.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other members of the U.S. central bank are meeting Tuesday and Wednesday, trying to chart a path where the U.S. can avoid both a recession and sticky inflation.—
Jesse Pound,
CNBC,
6 May 2025
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Relevance is a particularly sticky word, one that lacks nuance.—
Eric Crosby,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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There’s a fair share of cornball dialogue in Cornelius Uliano and Bryan Schulz’s screenplay, as well as an excess of reassuring schmaltz at the fadeout.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2024
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Another scream for this bad, unabashedly cornball line.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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This is where the property’s main persona as a wedding venue really shines: Candlelit dinners in the Pavilion—rustic yet romantic with an oversized fireplace as its centerpiece—feel choreographed, in that tables are served course after course at roughly the same time.—
Alisha Prakash,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2025
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These pier mount lights have a bit of rustic appeal, taking notes from the original design of barn lights (plus, comes with a compatible post).—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Corny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corny. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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