variants
or hokiness
as in corniness
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 hokeyness
The direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams valiantly tries to contain the material’s hokiness without undercutting the wishfulness that lies at the heart of the story’s broad emotional appeal.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
This is a movie about storytelling that both undermines and embraces the whole idea of storytelling, winking at the hokiness of fairy tales while still believing in them — a satire of the Happily Ever After story and also a prime example of the genre.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
This is a movie about storytelling that both undermines and embraces the whole idea of storytelling, winking at the hokiness of fairy tales while still believing in them — a satire of the Happily Ever After story and also a prime example of the genre.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hokeyness
Noun
-
Why bother funneling all of that through Hollywood’s pomp and corniness into a movie that’s only half good?—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Miranda, whose corniness has become a staple meme thanks to Gen Z, seems to be leaning into being an internet fixation.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Look, if this is not enough Oscars schmaltz for you, your bar may be too high!—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Eggs, matzo meal, broth, and schmaltz come together to produce tender, reliably fluffy dumplings.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Can of corn Gavin McVey was sitting in the left field stands with his mom, Celeste, brother Mason and friend David Maya when Padres outfielder Ramon Laureano launched a pitch from Tigers reliever Drew Anderson just inside the foul pole in the seventh inning for a solo homer.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Ethanol is brewed from corn, supporting crop prices and thereby helping grain farmers.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hokeyness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hokeyness. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
