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Synonym Chooser

How is the word humorous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of humorous are facetious, jocose, jocular, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can facetious take the place of humorous?

While the synonyms facetious and humorous are close in meaning, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

How are the words jocose and facetious related as synonyms of humorous?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.

jocose proposals

When might jocular be a better fit than humorous?

The synonyms jocular and humorous are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When is witty a more appropriate choice than humorous?

Although the words witty and humorous have much in common, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

Examples 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 humorous From embarrassing loan attempts to humorous misadventures like SZA electrocuting herself while trying to retrieve a pair of Jordans from a power line, their friendship is put to the ultimate test. Giana Levy, refinery29.com, 25 Oct. 2024 This humorous vitriol stems from Vlad’s disapproval of Wayans’ asking for $40,000 and 30% of future revenue to interview on his platform in August. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 23 Oct. 2024 The beginning of the episode starts with a humorous in-game interaction between Ashmore and Remedy’s creative director Sam Lake. G Kirilloff, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 And modern chic has everything to with the charming, precise, neat and even humorous clothes the 46-year-old designer showed last week. Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for humorous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorous
Adjective
  • This simultaneously funny and profound musical spins around a teenage girl (the lovable Carolee Carmello) suffering from a rare genetic disease that makes her age five times faster than normal.
    Karen D'Souza, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • The office workers are sleeping at the desks after a long night of partying, two mischievous visitors sneak in to bring holiday cheer with funny gifts and gaudy decorations.
    Rudie Obias, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • For his part, Handel—a generally agreeable though fiercely proud man, witty and gluttonous and gouty, and given to polylingual swearing—was probably indifferent to such political and sectarian matters.
    Jan Swafford, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
  • The stop motion animation and detailed character design and execution is nothing short of wonderful, and the script by Mark Burton, who developed the story over several years with Park, is witty and winning.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Miner will also look to generate live standup comedy gigs for top comedic talent, while also producing original audio and video content for New Metric Media’s direct to consumer channels.
    Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
  • After a brief impression of Judy, Paris offered some insight into one of the girls’ foremost comedic influences growing up.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Amazon The best smart shades can be awfully expensive, but this clever retrofit gadget from Eve can make one of your existing roller blinds smart.
    Simon Hill, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
  • What’s also clever is that Mela has positioned itself as an accessible brand.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Playing a more toothless version of antagonistic duos like Flotsam and Jetsam from The Little Mermaid, Yang and James are mildly amusing but underused, ultimately serving little purpose.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Each political party could find something amusing about it.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • To a normal person outside of politics, that sounds comical.
    Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
  • But the wedding, of course, had some comical complications.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • To name just one example: After an opening act filled with lurid cartel violence, Emilia Pérez gives us a comic number about gender-reassignment surgery.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Is that going to be a straight adaptation or a comic version?
    Frank DiGiacomo, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Its initial formulation was inspired by the 10+ Deploys per Day: Dev and Ops Cooperation at Flickr presentation at the 2009 O'Reilly Velocity Conference where the lack of collaboration between frustrated developer and operations teams was highlighted in a dramatic and entertaining fashion.
    Justin Warren, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Mattel has had a long friendship with Vanderpump, appearing on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum's entertaining show Overserved with Lisa Vanderpump.
    Lawrence Yee, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near humorous

Cite this Entry

“Humorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorous. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on humorous

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