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 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
Their skepticism is what’s brilliant about Gunn’s take: Contemporary audiences may also see the story of Superman, an alien adopted by Kansan farmers who raised him to use his powers for unambiguous good, as corny.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 July 2025
Still, the director indulges in a few twists that are obvious and a bit corny, especially in the closing act.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Gunn’s approach is colorful, in both its palette and the costumes; proudly fantastical, with flying orbs, robots, portals, and giant monsters; and at times endearingly, intentionally corny (see: Krypto the super dog).
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
The execution on this is just the right amount of corny thanks to Alden Ehrenreich.
—Stacia Brown, Vulture, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for corny
David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 July 2025
Still, the director indulges in a few twists that are obvious and a bit corny, especially in the closing act.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Gunn’s approach is colorful, in both its palette and the costumes; proudly fantastical, with flying orbs, robots, portals, and giant monsters; and at times endearingly, intentionally corny (see: Krypto the super dog).
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
The execution on this is just the right amount of corny thanks to Alden Ehrenreich.
—Stacia Brown, Vulture, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for corny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corny
Adjective
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Locals are sentimental about the happy, drunken teen graduates, who are thanked by strangers for their future contributions to Denmark.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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The conceit is inherently crowdpleasing — a man stumbling into strangers’ lives and finding unexpected connection — but Hikari steers it with earnestness, elevating it beyond sentimental comedy.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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According to Amazon reviews, the material is soft with just the right amount of stretch, while the fit is roomy without looking sloppy.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
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In that high‑tempo, but sloppy matchup, the Wildcats fell 46‑24, with Mari Adams, a top running back, contributing heavily on the ground and showing flashes of explosive play.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Surrounded by a bunch of big, hokey hooks from veterans and newcomers of the pop-country elite—Daris Rucker, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett—and an army of songwriters, BigX goes through the ups and downs of a broken heart.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
28 Aug. 2025
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The actual reveal was hokey and preposterous.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The tariffs also look to have driven up sticky inflation, with Trump pressuring Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates, in great part to get the housing market moving again.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Soap/Shampoo Residue While soap and shampoo don't create dust themselves, their residue creates the perfect sticky place for dust particles to attach to.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 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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The Farm is a rustic-chic fitness and wellness retreat in Castilian Springs, Tennessee, just 45 minutes from Nashville.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
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Top 5 Can’t Miss Book a lakefront stay at Wander the Resort, where sleek cottages and private beachfront access redefine rustic luxury.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Corny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corny. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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