HOKEY Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

hokey

adjective

ˈhō-kē

Definition of hokey

as in cornball

tiresomely obvious and unsophisticated their father's sense of humor was hokey beyond belief and most people's endurance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 hokey Once tourist fodder, the musical has remained a byword for hokey commercialism. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 Somehow the 200-acre eco-theme park avoids being hokey and trite—the biologists and naturalists here take their work seriously. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026 He's chosen a persona that is hokey, cringe and borderline offensive or downright offensive. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2026 As befits the title, everything about American Classic feels old-fashioned, if not downright hokey. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hokey

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hokey

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

Summer Lake Hot Springs is a standout, with its smattering of rustic but cozy casitas and indoor and outdoor mineral hot springs soaking pools.

— Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026
The restaurant offers a selection of local beers and provides a cozy, rustic ambiance.

— Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of rustic

Adjective

Yamal is most likely your favorite player’s favorite player to watch, to steal a somewhat corny adage.

— Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Where the most hopelessly corny sayings are painstakingly stitched into the equivalent of cloth graph paper by women who believe in the sayings and give the plaques to people who do not believe in the sayings.

— Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026