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
David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 2025
But over the last few years, it’s returned as chefs and bakers embrace its zany drama.
—Mehr Singh, Vogue, 31 July 2025
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
This zany juxtaposition is bolstered with narrative flashbacks from Archie, Betty, Veronica, and the rest of the gang vis-a-vis their most iconic looks since the comic was founded in 1939...
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Adjective
Everyone plays it reliably straight, a contrast that helps the film maintain its zany energy—and, in the spirit of the original trilogy, maximize the number of jokes per minute.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 2025
But over the last few years, it’s returned as chefs and bakers embrace its zany drama.
—Mehr Singh, Vogue, 31 July 2025
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
This zany juxtaposition is bolstered with narrative flashbacks from Archie, Betty, Veronica, and the rest of the gang vis-a-vis their most iconic looks since the comic was founded in 1939...
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
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Count Dracula remains a fixture in the horror genre, having been featured in movies that range from scary and sexy to silly and satirical.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
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Anderson’s synthesis of all of these themes, motifs, and silly gags into One Battle After Another, which saw Anderson’s biggest movie opening ever last month, shows how Pynchon’s ideas have not only aged well but are more visible and relevant.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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More than a decade later, the series continues to reimagine American histories and channel primal fears — from clowns and cults, to witches and ghosts — with each installment cloaked in social commentary and camp.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
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But that won't ease the fears of anyone who categorizes clowns as monsters.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For Mimi Pond, the desire to do a book about the Mitford sisters – six larger-than-life British eccentrics (and one brother) who created a stir in both British and American culture – was obvious.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
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For decades, sovereign citizens largely flew under the radar in Australia as relatively harmless eccentrics with a special interest in conspiracy theories.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This aspect will always cast her apart, even today, in the sense that a woman’s naked body is still perceived by audiences as something that stands out for some absurd reason, unfortunately.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
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Their vote to shut down the government is absurd.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 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
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Pity the poor actor who has to co-star opposite a 150-pound harlequin Great Dane.—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the movie, there is a montage with a voiceover that shows a classroom interaction between Lohan's character and her crush, Aaron Samuels, played by Jonathan Bennett.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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The wardrobe and general aesthetic of the character were also already in his mind prior to casting.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The name-calling and the stupid AI and the imagery has got to stop.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
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These kids are being stupid and absurd and reckless and not thinking about anything other than what’s directly in front of their faces.—
Will Leitch,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Even some of the originals on the album stem from ‘90s country greats.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
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Daylilies hybridize easily and letting the seeds fall and germinate may result in new plants that aren’t true to the original.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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