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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word silly different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of silly are asinine, fatuous, foolish, and simple. While all these words mean "actually or apparently deficient in intelligence," silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior.

the silly antics of revelers

In what contexts can asinine take the place of silly?

In some situations, the words asinine and silly are roughly equivalent. However, asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.

an asinine plot

When is it sensible to use fatuous instead of silly?

Although the words fatuous and silly have much in common, fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality.

fatuous conspiracy theories

When could foolish be used to replace silly?

The words foolish and silly can be used in similar contexts, but foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense.

foolish stunts

When would simple be a good substitute for silly?

The words simple and silly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort.

considered people simple who had trouble with computers

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 silly
Adjective
This silliest of shows, created as a laugh by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue, is an insouciant parody not so much of the disaster itself but of the movie about the disaster with those steamy class warriors Rose and Jack, as played on screen by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025 The couple went viral in May 2024 after someone from the crew of Bacon's new series, The Bondsman, pulled off a silly prank on the 66-year-old Footloose actor that involved Sedgwick. People Staff, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
It was shot in portrait because it was shot in Instagram by and for a woman who was losing her mind in quarantine and had fully let the sillies take the wheel. Ego Nwodim, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025 Some more sillies from last night’s GRAMMY nominees reception. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for silly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silly
Adjective
  • Pearl Breed: Pit terrier mix Age: 2 years old Pearl is a cuddly, goofy, playful pup looking for her forever home.
    Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Luke may seem like the goofy, carefree kid, but don’t be fooled — he’s got a lot of that intense mystery, which is very Scorpio.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Friendships built on insecurity, where men constantly have to prove their manhood, are a breeding ground for toxic attitudes and stupid decision-making.
    Terry Ward, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • That was the result of a stupid Obama-era rule that claimed a benefit to climate change (the biggest scam ever perpetrated on humanity) by restricting water flow through shower heads and faucets.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This hate against transgender people is so ridiculous.
    John Russell, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Even in witnessing how ridiculous — and dangerous — the rivalry is, Cherry ultimately isn’t brave enough to make a change.
    Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne Elliott’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.
    Kristina Goetz, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
  • In the now-viral video, the tuxedo cat crawls out from under the bed, wide-eyed and bewildered.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Gamble, seeing there was no way to get anywhere with the chancellor playing the simpleton, opened the floor to softball questions.
    Thomas Meaney, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
  • Americans, even or especially historians, tend to treat the early New Englanders as dogmatists: narrow, pious simpletons.
    Marilynne Robinson, Harper's Magazine, 1 July 2022
Adjective
  • The Front Range faithful who two summers ago lined the streets of downtown Denver, giddy to the last.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2025
  • By turns giddy, anxious, and despairing, these poems have endeared him to generations of ordinary readers who find in the tempestuous and ultimately brokenhearted poet a strikingly modern and profoundly accessible figure.
    Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While tailback isn’t a need, only foolish franchises pass up adding generational talents such as Jeanty.
    Omar Kelly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This whole exercise of proving the absence of antisemitism as a prerequisite to criticizing Israeli government policy is absurd.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Still, the sexist double standards around pockets have continued to be present in absurd ways.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Silly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silly. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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