1
as in insanity
lack of good sense or judgment
she was both amused and irritated by the silliness of his comments regarding the movie they has just seen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
stop this silliness at once!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lightness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time
this inability to refrain from silliness is a distressing sign of professional immaturity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 silliness
Audiences can take in two shows, with lots of silliness and some heart.
—
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026
Various clips are making the rounds on social media where Chiefs fans are enjoying seeing Jones’ latest silliness.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
This time round, though, an unfortunate silliness sometimes creeps in, where the film risks tipping over Shakespearean-size emotions into embarrassing bathos.
—Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
As Mozart, Sam Clemmett is wonderful, carefully navigating the silliness and sullenness of a character who’s been drawn as part boy, part man.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Slater is a virtuosic physical actor, and his evocation of the mime’s precision, silliness, and grace—the elastic faces, the acrobatic tumbles, the fingers that bloom into flowers, then wilt, then bloom again — is painstaking and loving in its observance.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
There is plenty of silliness in this year’s commercials.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
The silliness betrays the seriousness.
—J. Aaron Sanders, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
Interested in an ode to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and silliness?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026
Various clips are making the rounds on social media where Chiefs fans are enjoying seeing Jones’ latest silliness.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
This time round, though, an unfortunate silliness sometimes creeps in, where the film risks tipping over Shakespearean-size emotions into embarrassing bathos.
—Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
As Mozart, Sam Clemmett is wonderful, carefully navigating the silliness and sullenness of a character who’s been drawn as part boy, part man.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Slater is a virtuosic physical actor, and his evocation of the mime’s precision, silliness, and grace—the elastic faces, the acrobatic tumbles, the fingers that bloom into flowers, then wilt, then bloom again — is painstaking and loving in its observance.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
There is plenty of silliness in this year’s commercials.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
The silliness betrays the seriousness.
—J. Aaron Sanders, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
Interested in an ode to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and silliness?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silliness
Noun
-
In this world, at this time, a little insanity can go a long way.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Kennedy calls fortification ‘insanity’ That view contrasts sharply with critics — including some at the highest level of government — who regard fortification of the food supply as a form of government overreach.—
Jonel Aleccia,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Anthony’s tolerance for nonsense is clear on Day One, when he high-fives Kevin for planning to propose to a co-worker in front of the entire staff.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That is when Harbaugh will be able to crystallize for players like Cam Skattebo that football is the priority, and any outside nonsense that distracts from the goal of winning games is not going to be tolerated anymore.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Are laughter and lightness merely opiates, or tools of the revolution, or both, or neither?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Even before the Elite Eight tipped off, Auriemma said the Huskies were operating with a lightness he’s rarely ever seen in 41 seasons at the helm of the program.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ice Cream Man follows an idyllic summer town descending into madness when an ice cream man serves kids sweet delights with horrifying results.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The slasher takes place in an idyllic summer town that descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids from his truck with horrifying results.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Smart, skilled, hardworking people gracefully put up with all manner of tragedy, stupidity, and institutional rot.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Speaking of stupidity, Kathy, pay for the Second Ave.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The shout of glee at the news that Christopher Kane is the new creative director at Mulberry was practically audible across London this morning.—
Sarah Mower,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Sounds like a Sean Payton guy, particularly considering his glee in talking pass-protection.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Japanese pickling methods, such as nukazuke (fermentation in rice bran), emphasized minimalism and balance, reflecting the cultural values of harmony and simplicity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The beauty of cafe curtains lies in their simplicity.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While 90% of food allergies involve exposure to the top nine allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, dairy/milk, eggs, sesame, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish), people can be allergic to many other foods.—
Dr. Sonja O'Leary,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While the Middle East isn’t as large an export market for California farmers and ranchers as Canada, the European Union or Mexico; the United Arab Emirates ranks in the top 10 as the nuts, strawberries and other products exported there are distributed across the region.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Silliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silliness. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
