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
Relevance
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
Sarah Scott, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025
Audiences find different pleasures in Clue, from its over-the-top plot to its zany characters.
—Nathan Smith, Architectural Digest, 22 Dec. 2025
Even seeing her most recently in a bottle green Dior slogan sweater felt quite zany for the queen of quiet luxury.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Nov. 2025
Emily Ratajkowski's interpretation of Marge Simpson from The Simpsons at Klum's 2015 Heidi Halloween was perfectly zany for the occasion.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Adjective
Seeing where the clues lead, the friends embark on a joyous adventure of songs, dances, silly challenges, and plenty of zany energy from their wacky striped friend.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025
Audiences find different pleasures in Clue, from its over-the-top plot to its zany characters.
—Nathan Smith, Architectural Digest, 22 Dec. 2025
Even seeing her most recently in a bottle green Dior slogan sweater felt quite zany for the queen of quiet luxury.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Nov. 2025
Emily Ratajkowski's interpretation of Marge Simpson from The Simpsons at Klum's 2015 Heidi Halloween was perfectly zany for the occasion.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
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Huw just waiting for him without involving the police or having really any plan whatsoever is just as silly.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Wain was joined by stars Ken Marino (who co-wrote the film), Zoey Deutch, John Slattery, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Ben Wang to reminisce about making their unapologetically silly comedy.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The results will show young women who look an awful lot like circus clowns, with faces hidden under layers of masks, gels, serums, and even face tape.—
Jana Pollack,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
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What awaits you is an emotional journey through family, death, grief, memory, hope, and tears that also features clowns – yes, clowns!—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As with all art forms, the world of nails offers something for everyone, from the austere to the eccentric.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
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Also, Joan Cusack plays an infamous local eccentric, and a fictional pop star shows up!—
Mary Sollosi,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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What happens, though, when those excesses transcend the merely stupid, the merely unjust, to become existential?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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People who approve of ICE’s actions aren’t necessarily stupid or evil.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Rather than the usual crisscross pattern, Holmes’ sweater features solid block diamonds in bold colors for a harlequin look that is honestly a breath of fresh air.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
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In these respects, apart from the harlequin excesses of his Stalinism, Cowley is terrifically sound.—
Vince Passaro,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The two main female characters, Avril Incandenza and Joelle van Dyne, both happen to be gorgeous.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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They are balanced by just enough sweetness to offset the inherent salty character of the black beans, and infinitely complex.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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These politicians who are in their 80s and now 90s continuing to run for office is absurd.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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Rates are soaring at absurd levels, but what’s worse is what many homeowners are getting in return — less coverage, fewer payouts and other negative effects.—
Dave Lieber,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the meantime, the team continues to search for similar objects to determine whether Cloud-9 is an oddball or part of a larger cohort of relics.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
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Eight years later, Russ makes a last-chance gambit to resurrect his football dreams by disguising himself as Chad Powers, a talented oddball who walks on to the struggling South Georgia Catfish team.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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