gallows humor
noun
: humor that makes fun of a life-threatening, disastrous, or terrifying situation
Examples of gallows humor in a Sentence
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Currents of fear and pain run beneath the hypermasculine bravado and gallows humor, often rising in the middle of the action.
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Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
As represented by Camus, absurdism emphasizes accepting the absurdity of life and finding joy without illusions, often through gallows humor.
—Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
In retrospect, Hell or High Water is a lot funnier, but there are still laughs and gallows humor in Relay.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
As the ever-lovable father plays along with his daughter’s morose game, the film becomes both a love letter and a living eulogy, balancing gallows humor with profound tenderness.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
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Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
As represented by Camus, absurdism emphasizes accepting the absurdity of life and finding joy without illusions, often through gallows humor.
—Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
In retrospect, Hell or High Water is a lot funnier, but there are still laughs and gallows humor in Relay.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
As the ever-lovable father plays along with his daughter’s morose game, the film becomes both a love letter and a living eulogy, balancing gallows humor with profound tenderness.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gallows humor
Cite this Entry
“Gallows humor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallows%20humor. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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