silly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsi-lē How to pronounce silly (audio)
Definition of sillynext
1
as in goofy
lacking in seriousness or maturity the matinee show was filled with a bunch of silly children making noise

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2
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment those silly movie producers who thought that audiences would fall for that gimmick all over again

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3
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter had the silly notion that her latest marriage might last longer than her three previous ones

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4
as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion stunning news that knocked me silly

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silly

2 of 2

noun

as in simpleton

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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
The plot itself was somewhat silly, but the idea of a counter-Earth really stuck with me. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026 These ludicrous ideas are dramatized through appropriately silly scenes where action is the default lingua franca. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
Her new book is a similar mash-up of the silly and the somber. — Lisa Hanawalt, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for silly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silly
  1. goofy
  2. stupid
  3. ridiculous
  4. bewildered
  5. simpleton
  6. giddy
  7. foolish
  8. absurd
Adjective
  • Some Latinas are nerds, and some Latinas are quirky, and some of them are goofy and some of them are clumsy.
    — Johanna Ferreira, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The opening chase scene is gorgeously animated, the kind of sequence that makes Common Side Effects distinct visual style that is at once both goofy and realistic so mesmerizing to watch.
    — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of goofy
Adjective
  • But also, the audience is not used to people delivering blunt questions — no matter how stupid the answer.
    — Jade Tran, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Pierce and Kember were born in the same place on the same day, a lore-enhancing coincidence too stupid to make up.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • Halsey looks ridiculous in a green jacket with a red scarf for a sash.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone thinks their kids’ slang is ridiculous and their parents’ politics naive.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of ridiculous
Adjective
  • They were soon surrounded by a crowd of about 1,000 bewildered villagers, who alerted forest officials patrolling nearby.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
  • What appears before the bewildered trio is a boy with a face resembling a frog’s, named Fūsuke.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Noun
  • His last moments portray him too much as an oafish simpleton, which undercuts both Leela’s brilliance and Krish’s leadership instincts, and moves the the play towards devices that prioritize humor over organic truth.
    — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
  • Max initially dismisses Becky, a college dropout turned temp, as a bubbly simpleton, far below his intellectual rank.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of simpleton
Adjective
  • Mark Zuckerberg and Dario Amodei aren’t giddy consumers whose spending cools when borrowing gets expensive.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • It couple, seemingly giddy with excitement (how very Kenneth of him).
    — Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of giddy
Adjective
  • The descent into foolish and self-destructive groupthink provides the drama.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But Ohtani also struck out three times Thursday — made to look foolish in a much-too-familiar way.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • As insufferable and absurd as that was, Murphy continued in the middle of the 2026 season, acting like his team's biggest division rival had also not heard of his players who were currently in first place.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But its ludicrous potential price tag isn’t the only absurd thing.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of absurd

Phrases Containing silly

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silly
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Cite this Entry

“Silly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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