as in puerility
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 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
-
The gesture’s lack of dignity, its childishness, its pettiness, are completely in character.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This show is a mix of hilarity, fashion, and stylistic construction coupled with the humorous wit of a drag show and the architectural glamor of a Barbie Dreamhouse on steroids.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Dec. 2025
-
So, without further ado, here are 9 of my favorite holiday romances stuffed full of hilarity, hope, emotional baggage and love.—
Jenny Bayliss,
PEOPLE,
7 Dec. 2025
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
-
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
-
Comments filled with glee and heart emojis, and viewers chimed in from Ireland and London, from Nigeria and Rwanda and Uganda, from Harlem and Arkansas.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
His freewheeling political rallies and frothy social media presence were, and continue to be, a source of great glee to his fans and followers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 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 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share