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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

silly

2 of 2

noun

as in simpleton

Related Words

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
Lively farm animals populate the backgrounds against which Guille and Belinda confidently perform their silly and earnest singing and dancing. — Manahil Tahira, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 Pets also can help turn regular lesson plans into silly, educational moments. — Medara Udoekong, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
The glamorous Emmy winner known for Loewe red-carpet looks and starring on prestige dramedy The Bear is returning to full-bore silly in order to play America’s favorite beagle. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Aug. 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
  • If the movie is more goofy than profound, that may be the point.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Haaland was one of the top scorers and most charismatic players at the World Cup held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and his imposing stature and goofy sense of humor sparked a wave of creative viral videos and memes.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of goofy
Adjective
  • The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the most accessible way to go stupid-fast in a three-row family car thanks to the Escalade V‘s high price tag.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Proudly stupid and surprisingly sweet, Dylan Meyer’s stoner buddy comedy is a tribute to friendship best enjoyed with your own ride-or-die by your side — joints optional.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • The ridiculous part was that, for a long time, people thought that a protective garment would need to look like full-plate armor in order to offer meaningful protection.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Personally, this idea that the woke nonsense is just an outmoded relic of the past is ridiculous.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of ridiculous
Adjective
  • One bewildered South African man said protesters had burst into his home and stolen the lunch from his plate.
    — Julie Bourdin, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026
  • In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 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
  • Phan has completed the course twice so far, earning the giddy right to hit a big buzzer at the end.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Bailey and Hedges should be giddy about programming PitchCom to account for everything their new battery mate can toss their way.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of giddy
Adjective
  • That’s economically foolish and potentially devastating for patients.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • As some of us will inevitably succumb to its grand and growing illusion, the rest may get the opportunity to find the key to understanding how so many others could be fooled and so foolish.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and amplifier of the most absurd of MAGA’s many election-denying claims, was defeated convincingly in his bid for the GOP nomination for governor.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Those black rectangles in Study for a Black Drawing are absurd attempts at the ideal void.
    — Aaron Fagan, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of absurd

Phrases Containing silly

Browse Nearby Words

sills
silly
silt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silly. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on silly

Nglish: Translation of silly for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of oxymoron

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All