as in insanity
lack of good sense or judgment
what zaniness possessed you to take a mental health day when you knew that the head honcho would be visiting?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 zaniness
Adding to the mind-blowing zaniness of the piece?
—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
As was the case in the first season as well, the finale escalates to a place of thrilling zaniness, with a little less ultimate emotional gravitas this time around.
—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
But the draft traditionally ratchets up quarterback zaniness.
—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Some critics found the zaniness of Bale’s ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ number (an homage to Mel Brooks comedy Young Frankenstein) hysterically brilliant, while others didn’t get the joke.
—
Anthony D'alessandro,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
Plenty of moments on The Fall-Off remind of the hunger of his early mixtapes, the purposeful thrills of his 2010s hits, or even the misguided zaniness of KOD, though none materialize in meaningful doses.
—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
The frothy zaniness was, of course, one of Barry’s Hollywood calling cards, but there always were serious themes submerged underneath.
—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
The ensemble comedy garnered critical praise for its steady stream of zaniness and quickly gained a reputation for deftly skewering suburban life while still maintaining a general sweetness of tone.
—
Will Harris,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
Animated by an irreverent zaniness, Egger’s poetry fuses elements drawn from contemporary idiom and from lyric tradition to render a surreal world that interrogates existential questions about desire and grief.
—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
As was the case in the first season as well, the finale escalates to a place of thrilling zaniness, with a little less ultimate emotional gravitas this time around.
—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
But the draft traditionally ratchets up quarterback zaniness.
—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Some critics found the zaniness of Bale’s ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ number (an homage to Mel Brooks comedy Young Frankenstein) hysterically brilliant, while others didn’t get the joke.
—
Anthony D'alessandro,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
Plenty of moments on The Fall-Off remind of the hunger of his early mixtapes, the purposeful thrills of his 2010s hits, or even the misguided zaniness of KOD, though none materialize in meaningful doses.
—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
The frothy zaniness was, of course, one of Barry’s Hollywood calling cards, but there always were serious themes submerged underneath.
—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
The ensemble comedy garnered critical praise for its steady stream of zaniness and quickly gained a reputation for deftly skewering suburban life while still maintaining a general sweetness of tone.
—
Will Harris,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
Animated by an irreverent zaniness, Egger’s poetry fuses elements drawn from contemporary idiom and from lyric tradition to render a surreal world that interrogates existential questions about desire and grief.
—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zaniness
Noun
-
Piggott was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a trial held a year later.
-
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is calling for the impeachment of the Miami-Dade judge who acquitted a woman by reason of insanity in the 2021 death of her 15-month-old daughter, arguing the ruling threatens public safety.
Noun
-
In the midst of the final stretch of World Cup madness, here are eight shows happening in Kansas City in July.
-
Either Cody or Gunther wins because Sami gets screwed; Zayn will then further descend into madness and attack someone after the bell.
Noun
-
Write with simplicity and heart.
-
That distinction is important because the company sees simplicity as one of its greatest strengths.
Noun
-
Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
-
Fireworks, flags and BBQs are Fourth of July staples, but America’s 250th birthday brings an extra helping of absurdity to Coney Island.
Noun
-
The forecast for Thursday calls for craziness.
-
Meanwhile, the Spurs had to rush off the court to avoid getting caught up in all the craziness.
Noun
-
And with those road destinations, there’s plenty of room for late-season winter weather wackiness.
-
These flashes of melancholy or yearning give the record complexity and depth, as well as stopping it from devolving into wackiness.
Cite this Entry
“Zaniness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zaniness. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
