1
as in clowns
a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior
hired a zany to entertain the children at the birthday party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in eccentrics
a person of odd or whimsical habits
one of the challenges of hosting a radio call-in program is preventing the zanies from completely taking over the discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zanies
Noun
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The biggest losers are the very citizens electing these clowns.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025 -
More than a decade later, the series continues to reimagine American histories and channel primal fears — from clowns and cults, to witches and ghosts — with each installment cloaked in social commentary and camp.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For Mimi Pond, the desire to do a book about the Mitford sisters – six larger-than-life British eccentrics (and one brother) who created a stir in both British and American culture – was obvious.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
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For decades, sovereign citizens largely flew under the radar in Australia as relatively harmless eccentrics with a special interest in conspiracy theories.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Try Greek yogurt or kefir topped with fruit and nuts.—
Brittany Poulson,
Verywell Health,
14 Oct. 2025
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Shake pan to redistribute nuts, and then put it back in oven for another five minutes.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One of the best parts to it are the recollections from his Little Italy friends and relatives, many of whom served as inspiration for his sometimes unsavory characters.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
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Pop Mart characters can usually be found on Amazon and StockX, and sometimes Walmart.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
16 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Zanies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zanies. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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