ZANINESS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

zaniness

noun

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?

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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 Big events add opportunities for zaniness that’s recognizably comedic, in addition to bringing in some recognizable guest stars. —

Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 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 Those moments allowed O’Hara, in a mostly straight role, to add bits of signature zaniness. —

Jocelyn Noveck, Mercury News, 5 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 Crowds jumped, chanted and leaned into the sense of communal rebellion, all while celebrating the band's zaniness. —

Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for zaniness

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