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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of zany
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
And the supporting cast of kids all did a great job creating a zany band of misfits who at first scorn, then embrace, our hero.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Details, many of them equally zany, are at hopruntours.com.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
The zany song-and-dance number will include a safety spiel from Joe the Legal Weasel.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Adjective
But the comedic, opinionated political history with zany graphics, audience interaction, physical clowning, improvisational antics fueled by political outrage and one hilariously caustic line after another?
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
And the supporting cast of kids all did a great job creating a zany band of misfits who at first scorn, then embrace, our hero.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Details, many of them equally zany, are at hopruntours.com.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
The zany song-and-dance number will include a safety spiel from Joe the Legal Weasel.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
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Jeff: This has been such a silly way to seed the in-season tournament.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Between silly videos and heartfelt tributes, Palmer has been relishing in motherhood.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Also, this was not a good week for billionaires as a socialist Muslim won a long-shot victory in the NYC Democratic primary, partly on the promise to raise taxes among the highest income earners, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos starred in a clown show wedding in Venice.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2025
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Ayanna Pressley, another blow-in-drifter (from Chicago), pole vaulted from the City Council clown show to the U.S. House.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
Noun
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American eccentrics like Walters long have provided material for satirists across the pond.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2025
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There are dozens upon dozens of memorable eccentrics, delusional antiheroes, blustery authority figures, sad sacks, screw-ups and all-too-lovable schmucks that populate the 12 feature films and handful of shorts directed by Wes Anderson.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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The nutrient can indeed help with all of those, but sometimes, the claims turn absurd.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2025
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The College World Series semifinals concluded Wednesday, allowing Houston Astros manager Joe Espada another chance to marvel at an absurd ascension.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
-
But to see it in a character so young is sort of heartbreaking.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
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Early on, he was often cast in Latino character roles on shows like HBO’s The Wire and Fox’s Gang Related.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Mexican men were dismissed as violent Panchos and stupid Pedros.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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There’s more stupid romance around harder substances but few chemicals are more hazardous to ambition than THC.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Noun
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His Tron sequel arrived 28 years after the Disney original, which had revolutionized visual effects back in 1982 with its action-adventure set inside a video game.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
Over the years, Caguioa has replaced the headgear on deer with real antlers and the originals mounted on moose with synthetic alternatives.—
Paul Nicolaus,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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