campy

adjective

Definition of campynext
1
as in foppish

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in jokey

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of campy The actor has a great sense of humor about his one-off performance as the Caped Crusader in Batman & Robin, a notorious flop that has since become something of a campy millennial touchstone. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026 Snow sings about getting her princess groove back, butts heads with her Evil Queen stepmother (a campy Gal Gadot) and gets a little help from her short new friends. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 July 2026 These platform sandals are campy, retro, bubblegum-scented, and chicly befitting to any look, even elevating a simple jean or skirt. — Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026 As muscles disappear and social hierarchies collapse, Jim embarks on a wild, campy quest to find a cure before his life falls apart completely. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for campy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for campy
  1. foppish
  2. jokey
  3. sappy
  4. playful
  5. dandyish
  6. whimsical
  7. prissy
  8. witty
Adjective
  • The first phase of Olympic ice dance was once an aristocratic affair — ruffles and frills flying as athletes performed romantic tangos, foppish quick steps and Viennese waltzes with straight backs and exaggerated posture.
    — Robert Samuels, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Speaking of styling tricks to steal, the foppish ties that almost looked like silk scarves or ribbons at the Yohji Yamamoto show would be a good alternative for women who want some kind of necktie but think a traditional men’s tie reads too costumey.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of foppish
Adjective
  • But the gentle vocal harmonies and trippy acoustic strumming, like the jokey title, transform the song into something else.
    — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026
  • Inspired by 1955’s The African Lion, back then it was called Tropical Rivers of the World, and was a more serious version of the jokey ride people love today.
    — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of jokey
Adjective
  • The bicentennial was the moment of nostalgic gluttony that topped them all, with its reenactment of battles, its old-fashioned sailing ships, and its outpouring of sappy patriotic products printed with the magic numerals 76.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • The announcement may come as a shock for country fans who have followed the couple through their sappy podcast appearances and gushy acceptance speeches.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of sappy
Adjective
  • Styled with a suede coat, relaxed jeans, and Tabi flats, this look proves the playful accessory isn’t just for summer.
    — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Uniting these jokes is a streak of playful irreverence, a facility for tempering challenging ideas with American cultural references, and a reluctance to provide more explanation than necessary.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of playful
Adjective
  • For the magazine’s seventy-fifth anniversary, in 2000, the dog-loving portraitist William Wegman dressed up one of his Weimaraners as Eustace Tilley, our dandyish mascot, originally drawn by Rea Irvin.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of dandyish
Adjective
  • The embroidery and lace details are so pretty and whimsical, yet feel a touch more understated than an all-over print.
    — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Each piece is highly detailed and whimsical, and tells a personal story.
    — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of whimsical
Adjective
  • The composer shows himself a cartoonish James Bond-type, battling with his prissy critics, while also dallying with his seductive wife, who is represented in opulent violin solos.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
  • As Berenger’s prissy friend Gene, the character who transforms the most during the course of the play, Phillip Taratula changes in both body and soul.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of prissy
Adjective
  • New assistant coach Alice Chilton is a blatant remodeling of Roy Kent — a brusque ex-soccer player who’s reluctant to engage with Ted’s tomfoolery or personal prodding — but Tanya Reynolds’ performance is equal turns wounded and witty.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Burch’s brilliantly witty, biting and all-knowing screenplay never satirizes these characters or looks down on them in a movie Jones and his exceptional actors have blessed with sheer humanity and grace.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of witty

Browse Nearby Words

campuses
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Cite this Entry

“Campy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/campy. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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