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
Peter Balonon-Rosen, Vox, 4 July 2025
The trailer is equal parts unsettling, outlandish and zany.
—Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
The Phoenician Scheme, by comparison, is light and zany, as Korda embarks upon a madcap dash across the globe to save his dwindling fortune.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025
The premise for Pixar's latest film, Elio, sounds as zany and off-the-wall as anything the animation juggernaut has ever created: A young boy is accidentally summoned to the Communiverse, an intergalactic organization where he's forced to represent the human race as an ambassador for Earth.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Adjective
And in the 1990s, Disney had a particularly zany idea of how to tell the story of America — one that set off a culture war as the company sought to create an amusement park focused on US history, warts and all.
—Peter Balonon-Rosen, Vox, 4 July 2025
The trailer is equal parts unsettling, outlandish and zany.
—Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
The Phoenician Scheme, by comparison, is light and zany, as Korda embarks upon a madcap dash across the globe to save his dwindling fortune.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025
The premise for Pixar's latest film, Elio, sounds as zany and off-the-wall as anything the animation juggernaut has ever created: A young boy is accidentally summoned to the Communiverse, an intergalactic organization where he's forced to represent the human race as an ambassador for Earth.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
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This perky, self-aware, sarcastic and downright silly show caters to both the more traditional Goodspeed audiences.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
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Green Lantern is earnest and bright and, yeah, incredibly silly and a little embarrassing.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Visitors can take part in the action at the on-site museum where 700 pieces of clown memorabilia are displayed in every nook and cranny, some even suspended from the ceiling.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Southern Living,
22 July 2025
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Pepe the Frog became political, then hate symbol, during 2016 election The frog doodle in clown accessories that flashes in the video is known as Pepe the Frog, and its appearance in Trump's social media posts has sparked interest before.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Ra’s decades-long adherence to this personal mythology, along with his air of serene bemusement and his extravagant robes and headdresses, led to his popular image as a colorful eccentric.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
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Other characters include outcasts, visionaries and eccentrics — all of whom live on the margins as unseen — a former priest, a girl trapped in working her family’s candy stand, a woman who learned preaching from her brother and is a caretaker for her dying housemate.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
From the vantage point of 2025, this appears as absurd as suggesting that women’s soccer matches should be 70 minutes instead of 90, the same as in the men’s game.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
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The French super powerhouse has taken teams part since winning the UEFA Champions League crown on May 24, outscoring its foes by an absurd 21-1 margin.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
12 July 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
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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
-
Since the 1940s, professional wrestling has grown in popularity, thanks to its creative characters, stellar performances, and broad appeal to a mainstream audience.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
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Bowen reprises her character, Virginia Venit, in the comedy classic's second installment.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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And some stupid Republicans, and foolish Republicans, fall into the net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 July 2025
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The film ends with Lady Susan setting herself up in a kind of throuple, although one member of the ménage is too stupid to be so informed.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
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In 1929, the original came down to make way for the Empire State Building.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
25 July 2025
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Paramount+ Premium is $12.99 per month and includes everything in the Essential plan plus Showtime originals, blockbuster movies and live TV with fewer ads.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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