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
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of zany
Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024
Technically, the music is about the obliteration of human consciousness upon coming into contact with an alien text, and that zany premise is the appeal.
—Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
This unlikely crew bands together for a zany mission full of hijinks and false starts.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Both on its own delightfully zany terms and as a farewell to Soho Rep’s space on Walker Street, this collaboration by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and the performance artist Alina Troyano (often known as her stage persona, Carmelita Tropicana) couldn’t have felt more right.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for zany 
Adjective
Vera Drew won Breakthrough Director for the zany superhero parody The People’s Joker.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024
Technically, the music is about the obliteration of human consciousness upon coming into contact with an alien text, and that zany premise is the appeal.
—Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
This unlikely crew bands together for a zany mission full of hijinks and false starts.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Both on its own delightfully zany terms and as a farewell to Soho Rep’s space on Walker Street, this collaboration by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and the performance artist Alina Troyano (often known as her stage persona, Carmelita Tropicana) couldn’t have felt more right.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for zany
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zany
Adjective
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Packed with silly hijinks, this 2004 comedy also stars Kristin Chenoweth and Kristin Davis.Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
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Staff take part in silly skits and showcase rare albums that have not been digitized from the station's giant record collection.Meira Gebel, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The clowns there, contributed by donors worldwide, are not for sale.Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
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The parade’s 98th year was the largest yet, with more than 5,000 volunteers, 17 character balloons, 22 floats, 15 heritage and novelty balloons, more than 700 clowns, 11 marching bands and 10 performance groups.Violet Goldstone, WWD, 30 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Long before its golden sands and rocky coves became reality TV-famous, Laguna Beach was known as an enclave for artists, eccentrics, surfers, and bohemians.Christina Pérez, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
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That someone was Gary Paxton, one of the true eccentrics in the early fly-by-night Hollywood rock ‘n’ roll industry.Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But the series, like the film, shows that vampires are also multidimensional — vulnerable, emotional, funny, absurd — and completely out of place in the modern world.Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
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Photo: Their lives often appear dramatic and borderline absurd.Daisy Jones, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But this harlequin moll can’t match Joker’s lunacy as either lawbreaker or musician.Armond White, National Review, 29 Nov. 2024
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The doll, which is called the Witch Weaver, wears flared bell-bottoms, a gossamer harlequin blouse, gold waistcoat and crystal headpiece — taking inspiration from Reed’s signature design codes, personal style and even Lady Gaga.Violet Goldstone, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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His costar Elle Fanning, who plays Sylvie Russo, a character inspired by the singer’s muse, was a vision in yellow, bringing a sense of nostalgic glamour to the red carpet.Rosana Lai, Glamour, 16 Dec. 2024
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Luckily the owners at the time also wanted to preserve the home’s character and designed the addition to blend in with the original structure.Paola Singer, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Boke character, which would be Johnson, is the one who will make a mistake on purpose, or make a stupid joke.Justin Koreis, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2024
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Any Republican that would be so stupid as to do this should, and will, be Primaried.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Stated simply, the policy errors made with regard to money were uniquely foolish.John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Premature predictions of renewal would be foolish and, as Howe continually stressed, Newcastle cannot allow one strong outing to be followed by another meek one.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near zany
Cite this Entry
“Zany.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zany. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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