comic relief
noun
: a relief from the emotional tension especially of a drama that is provided by the interposition of a comic episode or element
Examples of comic relief in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another Paradise tenant, Lady Diana (Monika Myers), a headstrong teenager with Down syndrome, is the closest thing the film has to comic relief.
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The sarcastic portrait of Napoleon is a kind of comic relief, balancing the sympathy for Pierre, Prince Andrey, the young Rostov.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Between the comic relief of the Meeks-Martin twins, [Matthew] Lillard’s irrepressible energy, and the kinetic crew of new teens (including McKenna Grace, Asa Germann, Celeste O’Connor, and Sam Rechner), there’s a levity that makes this movie wildly and unapologetically fun.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026
These colorful characters bring some burlesque comic relief to the film.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
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Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The sarcastic portrait of Napoleon is a kind of comic relief, balancing the sympathy for Pierre, Prince Andrey, the young Rostov.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Between the comic relief of the Meeks-Martin twins, [Matthew] Lillard’s irrepressible energy, and the kinetic crew of new teens (including McKenna Grace, Asa Germann, Celeste O’Connor, and Sam Rechner), there’s a levity that makes this movie wildly and unapologetically fun.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026
These colorful characters bring some burlesque comic relief to the film.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comic relief
Cite this Entry
“Comic relief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comic%20relief. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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