1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
only a ninny would try to cross a swollen, raging river
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person
was such a ninny that he kept forgetting my name, even though I was wearing a name tag
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of ninny
Jane Austen wrote takedowns of this kind of ninny two centuries ago — how fun to see Pike update her twit to the post-Y2K era.
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Kopas, who wisely eschews hamming, makes Frank a spry, eloquent presence, although more dourness in the play’s initial scenes might help his character stand out from the salon’s cheerful ninnies.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 May 2023
Because some ninny has not read the user manual.
—Sarah Barker, Outside Online, 19 Mar. 2021
Sure enough, the team at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an organization that provides food to more than 700 pantries throughout the Chicago area, contacted me and said a conservative donor who thinks me quite the ninny had donated $10,000.
—Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, 16 Dec. 2021
This Macbeth is something of a ninny, a lightweight who lounges on a throne that seems far too big for him.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 2 Nov. 2019
When this became public knowledge, Stephen Spender, Lasky’s deputy and more a ninny than a poet, resigned.
—David Pryce-Jones, National Review, 22 Aug. 2019
But the story goes that mall proponents had to overcome three tremendous obstacles: the Great Depression, World War II, and the city’s anti-growth ninnies.
—oregonlive.com, 1 Aug. 2019
There are plenty of things that people want to do at theme parks and water parks, including scream like ninnies on thrill rides, be transported to fantastic realms on sophisticated attractions, and cool down on exhilarating water slides.
—Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, 13 June 2018
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Kopas, who wisely eschews hamming, makes Frank a spry, eloquent presence, although more dourness in the play’s initial scenes might help his character stand out from the salon’s cheerful ninnies.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 May 2023
Because some ninny has not read the user manual.
—Sarah Barker, Outside Online, 19 Mar. 2021
Sure enough, the team at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an organization that provides food to more than 700 pantries throughout the Chicago area, contacted me and said a conservative donor who thinks me quite the ninny had donated $10,000.
—Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, 16 Dec. 2021
This Macbeth is something of a ninny, a lightweight who lounges on a throne that seems far too big for him.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 2 Nov. 2019
When this became public knowledge, Stephen Spender, Lasky’s deputy and more a ninny than a poet, resigned.
—David Pryce-Jones, National Review, 22 Aug. 2019
But the story goes that mall proponents had to overcome three tremendous obstacles: the Great Depression, World War II, and the city’s anti-growth ninnies.
—oregonlive.com, 1 Aug. 2019
There are plenty of things that people want to do at theme parks and water parks, including scream like ninnies on thrill rides, be transported to fantastic realms on sophisticated attractions, and cool down on exhilarating water slides.
—Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, 13 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ninny
Noun
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Unfortunately, building massive scale factories here in the US to replace overseas production would be a fool’s errand.—
Robert C. Wolcott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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After a brief fool’s spring, New York City plunged once again into a cold snap.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Costs nothing, gooses ratings, good TV. Mark Cuban @mcuban.bsky.social · 5h File your taxes using IRS Direct File, a free, secure, accurate and accessible product from the IRS.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
31 Mar. 2025
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Not anymore, not since the cost of eggs has soared beyond the price of the golden ones that a certain goose once laid.—
Lincoln Anderson,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
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An underrated gem — not enough people have seen this top-tier season — Squirrels Trip has some fabulous vocals, very funny lyrics, a heavy dose of stupid, and an engaging story.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ninny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ninny. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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