corniness

noun

Definition of corninessnext
as in hokeyness

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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 corniness The basics of investing are set out in accessible, but not childish, terms, and the little tutorials are free of any hint of edutainment or corniness. — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Even the weddings that work overtime to prevent a kind of corniness from slipping in wind up being twice as corny in their own way. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Why bother funneling all of that through Hollywood’s pomp and corniness into a movie that’s only half good? — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025 As with other gray-empowerment films like Thelma, there’s a touch of corniness in María Ángeles’ determination and resilience, which extends to a hint of blackmail to stop the real estate agent from blabbing to Clara. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corniness
  1. hokeyness
  2. corn
  3. schmaltz
Noun
  • The direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams valiantly tries to contain the material’s hokiness without undercutting the wishfulness that lies at the heart of the story’s broad emotional appeal.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
  • This is a movie about storytelling that both undermines and embraces the whole idea of storytelling, winking at the hokiness of fairy tales while still believing in them — a satire of the Happily Ever After story and also a prime example of the genre.
    — Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Definition of hokeyness
Noun
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally and the corn is crisp-tender.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The side dishes are traditional green beans, corn, potato salad, cole slaw, mac-and-cheese and ranch beans.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of corn
Noun
  • Manzano also likes to slowly render the skin to make schmaltz.
    — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026
  • Maybe a better balance would’ve kept the finale from descending into schmaltz.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 June 2026
Definition of schmaltz

Browse Nearby Words

corniches
corniness
cornpone
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Cite this Entry

“Corniness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corniness. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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