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
1
as in goofy
lacking in seriousness or maturity
the matinee show was filled with a bunch of silly children making noise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
those silly movie producers who thought that audiences would fall for that gimmick all over again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter
had the silly notion that her latest marriage might last longer than her three previous ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion
stunning news that knocked me silly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in simpleton
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of silliness
Kayla Grant, People.com, 20 June 2025
But the That ’70s Show veteran periodically makes The Waterfront feel like a completely different show — one that’s wilder, sillier and generally less predictable.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
Ego Nwodim, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
Some more sillies from last night’s GRAMMY nominees reception.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silliness
Adjective
Between silly videos and heartfelt tributes, Palmer has been relishing in motherhood.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 20 June 2025
But the That ’70s Show veteran periodically makes The Waterfront feel like a completely different show — one that’s wilder, sillier and generally less predictable.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
Noun
It was shot in portrait because it was shot in Instagram by and for a woman who was losing her mind in quarantine and had fully let the sillies take the wheel.
—Ego Nwodim, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
Some more sillies from last night’s GRAMMY nominees reception.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silliness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silliness
Adjective
-
Fred looked, well, a little goofy and the explosion wasn't nearly as impressive.—
Joe Salas
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
-
Primus specialize in bass-heavy, off-kilter rock with a goofy sense of humor.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
This one is one person on the street obviously taking the soul of a protester who was stupid enough to go after some police officers.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
-
The pair will make stupid decisions, and viewers will likely wonder: would a girl like Paula really do that for a mess like Sloane?—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
And finally… As bad as some teams are, the rule that every club must be represented at the All-Star Game borders on ridiculous.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
Even for a show that’s famous for its silliness, this is a ridiculous storyline.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Tornado is a bewildered Japanese girl (played by pop singer Kôki) who fights off a horde of white men, thieving gold vagabonds who represent both Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Celtic ancestry.—
Armond White,
National Review,
4 June 2025
-
After staying at the shelter, Caboose eventually underwent surgery to get spayed and get their hernia repaired, but that's when doctors found something that left them bewildered.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Relief, their long-simmering attraction, and their giddy pride in having invented espionage cookery lead Antonin and Agathe to bang in the carriage back home.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
11 June 2025
-
Del Toro’s early roles (in 1990s cult films such as The Usual Suspects and Excess Baggage) smacked of knockoff Marlon Brando: all movement, mumbling charm, and giddy chaos.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Kent can often just look foolish onstage, sitting there idling.—
Nan Z. Da
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
-
To write off the Israeli leader would be foolish, especially with new elections not required until late 2026.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
The College World Series semifinals concluded Wednesday, allowing Houston Astros manager Joe Espada another chance to marvel at an absurd ascension.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
The nutrient can indeed help with all of those, but sometimes, the claims turn absurd.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Despite decades of existence, Jack in the Box’s sales remain stagnant, its strategy appears confused, and investors are becoming increasingly uneasy.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
-
After social media backlash, including a confused reaction from Dr. Dre and legendary B-Boy Crazy Legs, the 37-year-old issued an apology to the breaking community.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silliness. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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