as in puerility
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Recent Examples of goofiness
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
The brazen goofiness is applied to the movie’s howl of terror like smiley-face stickers on a gravestone.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Much of the tension the show tries to create is undermined by this Peter Pan framing and by the goofiness of the kids in adult bodies.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
There’s plenty of goofiness and physical comedy in the way Jeff makes a home for himself at the toy store, tucking himself into Spider-Man bedding in his makeshift quarters.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
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
The brazen goofiness is applied to the movie’s howl of terror like smiley-face stickers on a gravestone.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Much of the tension the show tries to create is undermined by this Peter Pan framing and by the goofiness of the kids in adult bodies.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
There’s plenty of goofiness and physical comedy in the way Jeff makes a home for himself at the toy store, tucking himself into Spider-Man bedding in his makeshift quarters.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goofiness
Noun
-
The gesture’s lack of dignity, its childishness, its pettiness, are completely in character.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To add to the hilarity, one of the dachshunds appeared to have chewed through a couch cushion and somehow gotten stuck inside it, with its head and legs filmed protruding through the torn fabric.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
This quickly descended into hilarity when the coaches further ambushed their unwilling challengers with a full-court press for the entire 12 minutes.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since its public unveiling on the weekend, the Turner statue has elicited mirth, mockery and even anger from people on social media.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The mirth masks a deeper, remarkable transformation.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Her vivacious attitude connects her with Aries (Stacey’s actual birthday is April 3) due to her fearlessness and cheerfulness in situations, no matter what is thrown at her.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Using a similar method as the one scientists follow to determine the animals responsible for fossilized footprints — but with a dose of lightheartedness — Granatosky and his colleagues carried out the first scientific analysis of the imprint, published Tuesday in the journal Biology Letters.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Swinging from the overhanging branches and darting through the woods, the animals were heading toward a nearby housing project, their pink faces lit with glee.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Hanlon wasn’t trying to hide his glee.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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
-
Today, the lighting ceremony is a spectacle of holiday merriment.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
From rushing out of the office to get party-ready, or hustling through the airport and reuniting with loved ones, to finally arriving at a glamorous night out with friends, each scene conveys merriment and personal style set against the backdrop of New York City.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Goofiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goofiness. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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