Synonyms of zany

zany 1 of 2

adjective

ˈzā-nē 

as in silly

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment

a zany plan to drive cross-country on a motorized scooter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• silly
• stupid
• absurd
• insane
• foolish
• crazy
• mad
• idiotic
• wacky
• irrational
• lunatic
• kooky
• loony
• ridiculous
• nonsensical
• simple
• nutty
• daffy
• fool
• screwball
• dumb
• dippy
• preposterous
• fatuous
• asinine
• wacko
• unreasonable
• harebrained
• daft
• cuckoo
• dotty
• witless
• sappy
• inept
• jerky
• unwise
• crackpot
• simpleminded
• brainless
• out to lunch
• barmy
• weak
• unreasoning
• batty
• loony tunes
• cockeyed
• balmy
• senseless
• gaga
• slow
• crackbrained
• weak-minded
• half-baked
• moronic
• lunkheaded
• fruity
• bubbleheaded
• meshuga
• tomfool
• half-witted
• dopey
• illogical
• unreasoned
• thoughtless
• featherheaded
• dull
• dense
• doltish
• clueless
• obtuse
• vacuous
• dorky
• ludicrous
• unintelligent
• farcical
• mindless
• imbecile
• opaque
• oafish
• dunderheaded
• feebleminded
• brain-dead
• lamebrain
• pinheaded
• empty-headed
• dim
• thickheaded
• laughable
• fallacious
• softheaded
• clownish
• invalid
• nonrational
• thick
• gormless
• dim-witted
• knuckleheaded
• soft
• unsound
• surd
• airheaded
• buffoonish
• chuckleheaded
• notional
• slow-witted
• ill-advised
• birdbrained
• boobish
• chowderheaded
• unconsidered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sound
• wise
• sensible
• sane
• prudent
• judicious
• clever
• intelligent
• bright
• reasonable
• smart
• logical
• sagacious
• rational
• valid
• sage
• brainy
• sapient
• well-advised

zany

2 of 2

noun

1

as in clown

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

• clown
• harlequin
• buffoon
• comedian
• buffo
• madcap
• mime
• comic
• joker
• wit
• antic
• motley
• droll
• cutup
• fool
• jester
• gracioso
• jokester
• humorist
• comedienne
• pantaloon
• funnyman
• farceur
• mimic
• stand-up
• wag
• second banana
• top banana
• gagman
• mummer
• gagger
• scaramouch
• gagster
• merry-andrew

2

as in eccentric

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

• eccentric
• character
• oddball
• original
• screwball
• loony
• wacko
• weirdo
• crackpot
• crank
• maverick
• nut
• piece of work
• kook
• fruitcake
• loon
• oddity
• nutcase
• bohemian
• codger
• rarity
• nutter
• flake
• odd duck
• quiz
• freak
• head case
• crack
• crackbrain
• nonconformist
• coot
• geezer
• curio
• quixote
• fantast
• fantastico

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sheep
• follower
• conformist
• conformer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of zany

Adjective

This sort of vivid world is where a zany maximalist like Sherman feels most at home. — Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026

And for those with a hankering for afternoon tea, the Upside Down tea party on Sundays is a zany take on a British tradition. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026

Nothing can top utterly zany inspiration of the postscript, which somehow involves a nuclear power plant and radioactive albino crocodiles. — Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026

Neville is there for pitch meetings, where the current cast sits on the floor of Michaels’ office and throws out their zaniest ideas. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

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