corny

adjective

ˈkȯr-nē How to pronounce corny (audio)
Definition of cornynext
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 hokey
tiresomely obvious and unsophisticated the audience groaned as the emcee told one corny joke after another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 corny Something this big and clearly thematic could have been corny and, well, cartoonish. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 1 June 2026 From scandals, to corny tactics and platforms, to terrible analysis, this gubernatorial race has been a contest to forget. — Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 Among other posts, Pearce shares mollusk insights (paired with corny jokes) every Monday under the signature #MolluskMonday. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 The first camp thinks Slayr is just corny, contrasting the aggro music with his lowkey presentation and love of anime. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for corny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corny
  1. sentimental
  2. hokey
  3. sloppy
  4. cornball
  5. sticky
  6. rustic
  7. corn-fed
Adjective
  • As per other members of the British royal family, Queen Camilla often wears those sentimental pieces during special occasions as a way to pay homage to the long-reigning British monarch.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 July 2026
  • England, given the potential of ending the 60 years of futility, was a sentimental favorite to emerge from the final four powers at this World Cup, which also included Argentina (who last won in 2022), France (2018) and Spain (2010).
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 15 July 2026
Definition of sentimental
Adjective
  • Its central plot remains conventional, and its demonology — including a hokey expansion involving the mysterious Cult of the Wise Men — routinely functions more as a set piece than as a serious mystery.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
  • Like the hokey gag of Lineker pretending to introduce the show before Woods interrupted.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Definition of hokey
Adjective
  • Golden State forced six Washington turnovers, but had six turnovers of its own in what was a sloppy first half.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • Minor wrinkles and soft creases look intentional rather than sloppy.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • Generations of ski families flocked to his films every fall to get revved up for a new ski season and laugh at his cornball humor.
    — John Meyer, Denver Post, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Davis and Head make strong impressions, masking the pedestrian, sometimes cornball dialogue.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of cornball
Adjective
  • High interest rates – currently averaging around 21% – make credit card debt sticky and hard to get rid of.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • Further tests showed that the thick sticky coating made these bacteria more virulent than the normal-looking bacteria from the first urine sample.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • Loco Coyote is known for its casual and rustic atmosphere, barbecue comfort food and cold drinks.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • But the best skillets, with the right presentation, are a hosting choice that can bring a rustic, convivial touch to a family-style meal.
    — Clara Hillis, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026
Definition of rustic
Adjective
  • Growing up in Brookville, OH, my family would call this kid corn-fed.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
  • The Lycra Company has corn-fed stretch.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of corn-fed

Browse Nearby Words

cornucopias
corny
corollaries
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Corny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corny. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of parochial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All