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
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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
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Recent Examples of silliness
That led to a whole lot of silliness.
—
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Pratchett’s gift was to blend deep philosophy and complete silliness.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
Stop the doomscrolling and embrace some baseball silliness.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Every part of this song is high-energy silliness.
—Charlie Harding, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Commentors, of course, had a mixed bag of reactions, ranging from arguing that Kelce is the Duchess of Delco to criticizing the governor's silliness.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Alex evolved into [having] a sort of comedic, Betty White-type of silliness.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Time to stop the silliness with the opener and start him.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Pratchett’s gift was to blend deep philosophy and complete silliness.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
Stop the doomscrolling and embrace some baseball silliness.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Every part of this song is high-energy silliness.
—Charlie Harding, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Commentors, of course, had a mixed bag of reactions, ranging from arguing that Kelce is the Duchess of Delco to criticizing the governor's silliness.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Alex evolved into [having] a sort of comedic, Betty White-type of silliness.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Time to stop the silliness with the opener and start him.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silliness
Noun
-
Initially, in 2019, Atkins pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but in 2021, he was found mentally competent to stand trial.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
Dominguez also pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder in connection with Guillory’s attack.—
Darrell Smith
June 8,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
That’s the prayerful explanation for the nonsense that spouted this week from the leaders of a football conference that hopes to grow up and be the Big Ten someday.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Let’s see if the Pomona Unified School District, which pays thousands of dollars to support its schools’ athletic program, is going to act and stop this nonsense.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
There is a remarkable lightness to Tuchel, a candour and directness.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
The lightness of Marley hair makes this protective style one of the least damaging on the scalp.—
Amira Rasool,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The four-night FIFA-centric experience, which takes place from July 16–21, gives six guests the chance to escape from the FIFA madness in the largest hotel penthouse suite in the US, which spans the entirety of The Mark's top two floors.—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
Shea Langeliers sent a shot 483 feet in the first sign of the madness to come in a 15-14, 12-inning game that introduced the city to its eventual MLB club.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Don’t just try to be brilliant; focus on avoiding stupidity.—
Nilton Bernini,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Nobody doggedly builds a stand-up career that takes them from clubs to theaters to selling out arena tours from a foundation of genuine stupidity.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
As the base runners scampered home, tying the game, Chicago players and fans alike shrieked with glee.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Bardem is captivating and formidable, grinning with maniacal glee at his every act of depravity and the fear and anguish of his victims.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
But despite their simplicity, the style leaves plenty of room for personalization.—
Omenaa Boakye,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
-
Soccer derives its beauty from its simplicity.—
Leander Schaerlaeckens
June 8,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The key is building meals around high-fiber foods like beans, lentils, whole grains, berries, seeds, vegetables and nuts.—
Ryan Brennan
June 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
-
The company's specialty nuts -- cashews, confections and snack mixes -- follow the same quality standards as its world famous Virginia Peanuts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Silliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silliness. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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