ninny

noun

ˈni-nē How to pronounce ninny (audio)
Definition of ninnynext
1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment only a ninny would try to cross a swollen, raging river

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person was such a ninny that he kept forgetting my name, even though I was wearing a name tag

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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 ninny Jane Austen wrote takedowns of this kind of ninny two centuries ago — how fun to see Pike update her twit to the post-Y2K era. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Kopas, who wisely eschews hamming, makes Frank a spry, eloquent presence, although more dourness in the play’s initial scenes might help his character stand out from the salon’s cheerful ninnies. — Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 May 2023 Sure enough, the team at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an organization that provides food to more than 700 pantries throughout the Chicago area, contacted me and said a conservative donor who thinks me quite the ninny had donated $10,000. — Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, 16 Dec. 2021 This Macbeth is something of a ninny, a lightweight who lounges on a throne that seems far too big for him. — Kyle Smith, National Review, 2 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ninny
  1. lunatic
  2. moron
  3. fool
  4. stupid
  5. goose
  6. maniac
Noun
  • While sane Americans were celebrating the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, the lunatics in Portland, Oregon were cheering along as two men made out on a baseball field during a 'Heated Rivalry' theme night.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026
  • As a Spurs fan, I was particularly invested in Campbell in an England shirt and recall charging around the living room like a lunatic before the reality that it had been chalked off hit home.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 18 June 2026
Definition of lunatic
Noun
  • God help us all if some idiot, some moron, ever put you in charge.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026
  • Mantzoukas was willing to look like a maniac and a moron in equal measure.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Definition of moron
Noun
  • Projecting how a college quarterback will pan out often proves a fool’s errand, despite how many people have dedicated their livelihoods to trying.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Don’t let the thin sole fool you though, the structure is still quite supportive and keeps your feet cushioned.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • My dad has always said the lottery is a tax on the stupid.
    — Alex Crippen, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Problem is, even people who know baseball don’t know baseball, which makes betting on baseball stupid.
    — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of stupid
Noun
  • They were provided by a speedy and adventurous black squirrel, who spent the better part of an inning on and around the playing field and at one point led an army of ground crew members on a wild goose — uh, squirrel — chase in right field.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
  • The shows featured a continuous storyline surrounding her string of black pearls being lost and found, sending her on a goose chase that began with The Nanny and continued into Can’t Hurry Love, Murphy Brown and High Society.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of goose
Noun
  • The odd thing about this choice is that, although the DSA’s platform is indeed chock-full of maniacal proposals, on this particular idea, the maniacs have a point.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
  • The Destroyer accelerates with the single-minded wilfulness of a homicidal maniac.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
Definition of maniac

Browse Nearby Words

ninnies
ninny
ninnyhammer
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Cite this Entry

“Ninny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ninny. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ninny for Spanish Speakers

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