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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Mea Culpa is Perry at his most knowingly silly, and a throwback to erotic thrillers of decades past.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
-
For every community of mass-shooter fandoms, there is another that is silly, joyous, productive, or totally harmless.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But the tax benefit will also extend to gambling dealers, clowns, DJs, entertainers, content creators, maids, electricians, plumbers, babysitters, drivers and more.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Thank you to Netflix for giving me the opportunity to whoop this clown!—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Larsen makes Didi’s absurd actions feel credible, something a woman frustrated with her own life would do, in haste, on behalf of another.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Tim Dollar, a Kansas City attorney who represented the family of one of Biscari’s crash victims, said the union’s argument that Biscari was disciplined unfairly compared to other firefighters was absurd.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 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
-
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
-
Iger has been a fearless, equal opportunity offender in defending Disney’s corporate character, whether from intrusions by the left or by the right.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The character's scientific background becomes crucial to the investigation.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jimmy Kimmel said something stupid and should apologize.—
Jesse Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Yeah, stupid s--- like this apparently is gonna keep happening for the next three years.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This riff on the 2008 original notably features classic Roman numerals as hour markers, adding an extra layer of exclusivity.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Its win reflects South’s role as a launchpad for Spanish factual, with RTVE Play ramping up originals that could later grow their international footprintvia RTVE Sales, bolstering Spain’s documentary footprint abroad.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share