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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of zany
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 July 2025
Though such a journey can be dark and complex, Shaky takes an approach that is raw, grounded, fun and zany throughout.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Cyclists competing in the 2025 Tour de France rumbled into the city of Toulouse on Wednesday, July 16, and some of them no doubt reflected on the handful of compelling—and downright zany—situations to come out of the event’s first 11 stages.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 16 July 2025
There is much within Wheeldon’s zany world for everyone to admire.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Adjective
That same door also leads to a horrifying dimension full of giant skulls with spider legs, so expect a few zany destinations to show up too.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 July 2025
Though such a journey can be dark and complex, Shaky takes an approach that is raw, grounded, fun and zany throughout.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Cyclists competing in the 2025 Tour de France rumbled into the city of Toulouse on Wednesday, July 16, and some of them no doubt reflected on the handful of compelling—and downright zany—situations to come out of the event’s first 11 stages.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 16 July 2025
There is much within Wheeldon’s zany world for everyone to admire.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
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Similar to the first film, families will enjoy silly slapstick mixed with great chemistry between Lohan and Curtis, who are just as good together.—
Katie Grant,
Parents,
7 Aug. 2025
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Here’s a look at the four silliest awards of the night.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Carnival Midway’s cast of trapeze artists, aerialists, jugglers and clowns perform every hour on the half hour, starting at 1:30 p.m. (on weekends, the show kicks off at 11:30a.m.).—
Alex Schechter,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Aug. 2025
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There’s a patient, dressed as a clown, who has his arm drilled into.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Ra’s decades-long adherence to this personal mythology, along with his air of serene bemusement and his extravagant robes and headdresses, led to his popular image as a colorful eccentric.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
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Other characters include outcasts, visionaries and eccentrics — all of whom live on the margins as unseen — a former priest, a girl trapped in working her family’s candy stand, a woman who learned preaching from her brother and is a caretaker for her dying housemate.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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These movies are brilliantly written, but above all will do anything to get a laugh, no matter how silly, how absurd, how ridiculous — how stupid.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Interestingly, the Vance memes were far more surreal and absurd than South Park’s caricature, which retained the simple, bloated design of the first few images.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Gomez has appeared on two episodes of the show as her character, Alex Russo.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The show will handle the absence of specific characters differently, with on-screen credit tributes to Hardwick and Joss specifically.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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No Broward program can possibly be as wasteful and downright stupid as the Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS).—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Aug. 2025
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This sounds very stupid, but there’s an idea in my mind.—
David Mack,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One of many smoking guns in an artillery of reasons that doomed the Max original to cancelation long ago, Che was criticized endlessly after Season 2.—
IndieWire Staff,
IndieWire,
16 Aug. 2025
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The new film, written by Jordan Weiss and directed by Nisha Ganatra, has been praised for bringing a new take to the story while honoring the original.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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