zany 1 of 2

adjective

ˈzā-nē How to pronounce zany (audio)
Definition of zanynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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

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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 zany
Adjective
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 All of the characters are beautifully zany, which keeps this series from imploding. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
  1. silly
  2. clown
  3. eccentric
  4. stupid
  5. harlequin
  6. character
  7. absurd
  8. oddball
Adjective
  • Every season of Strange New Worlds has featured at least one episode that emphasizes Star Trek’s silly side (and this may not be the last such outing in season four).
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The silly yellow fruit that became a part of their culture was freighted, from the start, with suggestive meaning.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of silly
Noun
  • An Illinois teen has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly committing a deadly stabbing attack while dressed in a clown outfit.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Tyquan Thornton Tyquan Thornton is not only known for being a speedster, with one of the fastest combine times in history, but a class clown as well.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of clown
Noun
  • With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
    — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
Definition of eccentric
Adjective
  • The case that American leadership in this technology carries a genuine security dimension has never looked stupid to me.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The women are in stupid costumes (Heather Gay is dressed as a leprechaun at one point) and yelling at one another for yet-unknown reasons.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of stupid
Noun
  • Colorado potato beetles target potato plants, while harlequin beetles do damage to brassica family plants like kale, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 3 June 2026
  • For the event, Kaling donned a strapless Elie Saab gown covered in crystal embroidery, which included a harlequin pattern and a sheer skirt.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 May 2026
Definition of harlequin
Noun
  • The character at its center is Bret Easton Ellis — played here by Igby Rigney, who does look eerily like the author’s high-school yearbook photo — and the book and series are largely inspired by Ellis’s real-life senior year at the Buckley School.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The show has new characters and a fresh storyline for Los Angeles.
    — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of character
Adjective
  • The show explores the darkly absurd side of modern-day male friendship.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Just absurd, and all happening in his first full season in the majors.
    — Matt Piper, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of absurd
Noun
  • The Ramones stood on stage not as rock gods or unattainable heroes, but as oddballs, misfits, and fellow outcasts in torn jeans.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • The Wylkes Society’s members include many of the amiable oddballs Miles has met around town.
    — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026
Definition of oddball

Browse Nearby Words

zaniness
zany
zap
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Cite this Entry

“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of zany for Spanish Speakers

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