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

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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
  • There’s too much family trauma to make this a sentimental reunion.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • In astrology, Cancer is known for its deeply protective instincts, sentimental nature and emotional attachment to memory.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of sentimental
Adjective
  • Like the hokey gag of Lineker pretending to introduce the show before Woods interrupted.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 June 2026
  • The session included newer compositions from Rollins, Davis, and Theolonious Monk alongside the theoretically hokey showtunes that Davis would help turn into standards.
    — Natalie Weiner, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026
Definition of hokey
Adjective
  • Lime clasts are tiny white chunks of limestone that were previously mistaken for evidence of sloppy mixing.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
  • The Americans played sloppy and ugly soccer in the first half, and Belgium overwhelmed the home side.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 8 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
  • What left me feeling more sticky-fingered were the gorgeous (and authentic) Asian artifacts that were placed throughout the room.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • To overcome the water’s sticky surface tension, the engineers discovered the robot must approach the surface at a steep 70-degree pitch.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • The park also features large reflecting pools, rustic furnishings, fountains, urns, statuary, artificial ponds for fish and foul, a deer park, orchards, fields and more.
    — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026
  • This wave includes practical guides for hiking and road trips, alongside specialized titles on park accommodations, regional cuisine, and rustic design.
    — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 10 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 13 Jul. 2026.

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