as in puerility
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Recent Examples of goofiness
Johnson delights in playing the role of lovable buffoon in the locker room, but his goofiness has purpose.
—
Jared Weiss, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
And follow his skiing adventrues and hilarious goofiness on Instagram at Nick Goepper.
—Outside Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Yet the boyish enthusiasm and goofiness that chess fans had come to know from his commentary and YouTube videos was no longer evident.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
There’s also a wee bit of goofiness.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
Underpinning all his goofiness was an utterly sincere and infectious confidence and belief in A Complete Unknown, and a genuine desire to share it with as many people as possible.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
There was always an odd, lanky goofiness to DiCaprio’s physical presence even at the start of his career, but it was overwhelmed by his rapid rise to heartthrob status in films like Romeo + Juliet and Titanic.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025
The American Kennel Club (AKC) highlights their muscular physique and their confidence among the canine world, but that’s not without a certain level of silliness and goofiness too.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Penn, giving a brilliant performance of cold villainy that could win him a third Oscar, is unafraid of lancing the inherent goofiness of a fascist.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Jared Weiss, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
And follow his skiing adventrues and hilarious goofiness on Instagram at Nick Goepper.
—Outside Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Yet the boyish enthusiasm and goofiness that chess fans had come to know from his commentary and YouTube videos was no longer evident.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
There’s also a wee bit of goofiness.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
Underpinning all his goofiness was an utterly sincere and infectious confidence and belief in A Complete Unknown, and a genuine desire to share it with as many people as possible.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
There was always an odd, lanky goofiness to DiCaprio’s physical presence even at the start of his career, but it was overwhelmed by his rapid rise to heartthrob status in films like Romeo + Juliet and Titanic.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025
The American Kennel Club (AKC) highlights their muscular physique and their confidence among the canine world, but that’s not without a certain level of silliness and goofiness too.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Penn, giving a brilliant performance of cold villainy that could win him a third Oscar, is unafraid of lancing the inherent goofiness of a fascist.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goofiness
Noun
-
Cove, on West Houston Street, does not mark an especially obvious step into maturity or anything narratively pat like that, because McGarry’s cooking and his businesses have never really had so much as a hint of childishness to begin with.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The gesture’s lack of dignity, its childishness, its pettiness, are completely in character.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But sometimes this hammy hilarity can feel like a substitute for thoughtful plotting and considerate character development.—
Niela Orr,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Next to the hilarity of Liu and the wisdom of Glenn, Levito settles comfortably as their contrast, the youngster in their sisterhood, the calm next to their storm.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The urgency of his rhymes recounting past drug deals and evictions almost dramatizes a feeling of pitting hunger, but mirth, humor, and hooks put it in perspective.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
-
Celebrating 250 Years The anniversary calls certainly for somber commemoration, but the 250th also calls for mirth, says Joe Riley, a retired Marine Corps major who served 1990 to 2010, including deployment in Iraq.—
Chris Dovi,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That indefatigable cheerfulness, even when describing scenes that sound brutal to almost anyone else, ran through the entire interview.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Dec. 2025
-
As Milchick, Tillman infused an unnerving cheerfulness into Lumon Industries’ macrodata refinement supervisor, a character who became increasingly central in Season 2.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hundreds of fans commented on social media, either expressing concern or responding with lightheartedness.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Dec. 2025
-
On the plus side, the young acting talent and a welcome lightheartedness will keep the eye-rolling to a minimum.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His former teammates watched the highlight reel with glee from afar.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Not only do the four statues bode well for the film’s future, but the room buzzed with good will for Anderson, who didn’t try to hide his glee.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There was never any danger of an exit as Alcaraz showed a focus that rose above any joviality about a second-hand haircut.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The games spot and brewery celebrated seven years with a farewell bash replete with games, beer and merriment.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
-
When the citrus trees come alive with ripe fruit in December, join in the merriment at the Orange Festival.—
Kristy Christiansen,
Southern Living,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Goofiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goofiness. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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