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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
Carter even got silly for photographers, getting into some offbeat poses while in the crowd and on the stairs, showing off her sense of humor. Hedy Phillips, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 The comedian pronounced the Dune star’s name in a very silly, Sandler kind of way. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025 While Patel and Goldberg had to carry an element of seriousness to their performances, Franco was given the opportunity to go really silly for his role. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025 If the timing and tone weren’t just right, the satirical edge would sour, and the entire project might seem silly or in extremely bad taste. Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for silly 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silly
Adjective
  • Ultimately, while The Substance got off to an intriguing start, the majority of the film and especially its goofy ending was mostly cheap shock value and amateurish satire built on the flimsiest premise imaginable.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Comedian and host Conan O’Brien was named the newest recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy on Thursday. O’Brien, 61, has carved out an improbable decades-long career arc, moving from goofy television interloper to comedic elder statesman.
    Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • There are no more stupid questions and an open, supportive, and curious culture evolves.
    Darpan Munjal, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • So if someone is crazy slash stupid enough to do that.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Saquon Barkley put up more ridiculous numbers in the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC Championship victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, leading to jabs at the New York Giants.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Because 7½ minutes of real time to play 20 seconds of basketball is beyond ridiculous.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, Sam Darnold looked bewildered against Detroit in the regular season finale, and that conjures all sorts of lingering doubts.
    Jordan Brenner, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore brought different weapons to this cute fight: bobcat Kilgore and otter Brie, both seeming a little bewildered by the powder that surrounded them today.
    NBC News, NBC News, 7 Jan. 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
  • No one questioned Bondi’s experience Republicans were giddy when discussing the prospect of Bondi overseeing the Department of Justice.
    Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
  • But traveling with kids has a way of softening FOMO: those stone temples have been there for a millennium, and Tove will only be a giddy six-year-old for a heartbeat.
    Naomi Tomky, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In other words, the labor market and the economy remain strong and solid on their own, but could be undone by foolish economic policies that our politicians might implement.
    Harry Holzer, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The grade partly reflects the inevitable hot streak that would make a lower grade look foolish.
    Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ironically, its only real payoff is its surreal magnitude of Drake-centricity (down to casting a look-alike), which largely ends up being absurd and hilarious thanks to events entirely outside of the film’s purview.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Courts should continue to quickly reject his absurd, insulting, and ahistorical legal arguments, which violate the clear text of the 14th Amendment.
    Elizabeth Wydra and Nina Henry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near silly

Cite this Entry

“Silly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silly. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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