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
James Mercadante, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025
The Georgia couple gained popularity for their USA Network series, which showcased their luxurious lifestyle and zany family dynamic.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Secondary to the zany caper is a love story that, disappointingly, lacks real stakes.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
The crisis involves a body and a ticking clock, as well as a zany, meddlesome doorman (Method Man, always welcome) added for good measure.
—Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Adjective
Dressed to impress for the screen Speaking of Help!, here are the Beatles suited up on the set of their second film, a zany adventure where the band tries to keep Starr safe from mad scientists and a fanatical cult.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025
The Georgia couple gained popularity for their USA Network series, which showcased their luxurious lifestyle and zany family dynamic.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Secondary to the zany caper is a love story that, disappointingly, lacks real stakes.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
The crisis involves a body and a ticking clock, as well as a zany, meddlesome doorman (Method Man, always welcome) added for good measure.
—Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
-
Alas, during one night siege (silly enough to not scare the little ones, even as the entire village repeatedly goes up in flames), Hiccup aims his weapon at the shape of a Night Fury (no one, we’re told repeatedly, as ever really seen one), shoots, and … what!—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 June 2025
-
Still, sometimes Forrest’s demands seemed nitpicky, silly even.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).—
Lucas Schaefer
June 13,
Literary Hub,
13 June 2025
-
As the animals fought, brass bands played and clowns entertained.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
There are dozens upon dozens of memorable eccentrics, delusional antiheroes, blustery authority figures, sad sacks, screw-ups and all-too-lovable schmucks that populate the 12 feature films and handful of shorts directed by Wes Anderson.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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To take her mind off him, Agathe meets an Austen-like family of eccentrics running the retreat and the sometimes pretentious writers attending it.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
There’s the undercurrent of politics stirring animus between the neighbors, with Canadians angered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his absurd aside saying perhaps Canada should be the 51st U.S. state.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
-
The concept itself is absurd, given the modest park features.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
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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But new life and civilizations await, including a villain that will test our characters' grit and resolve.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2025
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What this means is that attackers can apply additional characters in the target field, things like spaces and line breaks for example, so that the user only sees the legitimate-looking path and has no cause for concern that anything is amiss.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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This one is one person on the street obviously taking the soul of a protester who was stupid enough to go after some police officers.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
-
The pair will make stupid decisions, and viewers will likely wonder: would a girl like Paula really do that for a mess like Sloane?—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Kent can often just look foolish onstage, sitting there idling.—
Nan Z. Da
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
-
To write off the Israeli leader would be foolish, especially with new elections not required until late 2026.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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