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
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Between their zany bits and talent for physical comedy, this duo felt like the ’90s equivalent of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo.
—Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
While this sketch could have been simple, there are a lot of zany jokes that build on the premise, including Black being a racist cartoonist and holding too many hotdogs.
—Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
The zany, sometimes nonsensical lyrics, written by Pete Wentz, were paired with an equally quirky music video, telling the story of a guy with antlers crushing on a girl whose dad hates him for it.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Adjective
From the late 1970s through to the 1990s, the team of Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and David Zucker put their stamp on a distinctively zany type of movie comedy, pictures that sat right at the Venn diagram center of surrealist logic and inane humor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Between their zany bits and talent for physical comedy, this duo felt like the ’90s equivalent of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo.
—Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
While this sketch could have been simple, there are a lot of zany jokes that build on the premise, including Black being a racist cartoonist and holding too many hotdogs.
—Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
The zany, sometimes nonsensical lyrics, written by Pete Wentz, were paired with an equally quirky music video, telling the story of a guy with antlers crushing on a girl whose dad hates him for it.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
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This is one where the visual spectacle and weird fourth-wall-breaking sections stand head and shoulders above everything else, making for an extremely memorable adventure that embraces the silly side of Doctor Who.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
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But silly things like feelings and mental health don't matter to rebellion leader Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård), who wants results at any cost.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In real time, the audience, the queens watching, and perhaps Suzie herself all learn that Suzie has a knack for sexiness onstage, even though she’s dressed as a clown.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Among the mass-shooting victims is a bloodied clown who was performing at the festival.—
James Poniewozik,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain.—
Josh Bell,
Vulture,
21 Mar. 2025
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Attracting talent for greater innovation hazards acquiring a few eccentrics whose gifts come wrapped in controversial packaging.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Quarterly reports delayed by years would be absurd.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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While that isn't anywhere close to of being traded 10 times, being traded in four straight seasons is quite absurd.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 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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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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David was always like, ‘But that’s the character, Jim.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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The Times checked in with Macht a few weeks later over a video call to discuss the reprising of his character.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Making stupid internet fodder has never been easier than now, with the prevalence of AI image generators making everything from deepfakes to memes.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
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Much like the stupid prions wreaking havoc in his brain.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The idea of the Nuggets claiming three more games in this series with Michael Porter Jr. scoring three points — on Denver’s first basket, no less — is foolish.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2025
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The first three days of the season took care of such foolish rookie thoughts and proved to be a humbling, but learning, experience.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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