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
For a long time, Dustin seemed like the comic relief for this show’s version of the Losers’ Club, but trauma will shape his final arc, at least in the first chunk of episodes released.
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Brian Tallerico, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
And the impresarios and opera stars who drive the backstage story are all excellent, ably bringing comic relief to this dark tale.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 24 Nov. 2025
Her young character mainly provides comic relief amid tense scenes and is likely to emerge unscathed from any violence set to occur in the show's fictional setting, Hawkins, Indiana.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Asano starred in Doyle and Ratanaruang’s previous two features, and plays a supporting role here as a pretentious artist who provides the film with much of its comic relief.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comic relief
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Brian Tallerico, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
And the impresarios and opera stars who drive the backstage story are all excellent, ably bringing comic relief to this dark tale.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 24 Nov. 2025
Her young character mainly provides comic relief amid tense scenes and is likely to emerge unscathed from any violence set to occur in the show's fictional setting, Hawkins, Indiana.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Asano starred in Doyle and Ratanaruang’s previous two features, and plays a supporting role here as a pretentious artist who provides the film with much of its comic relief.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2025
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 4 Dec. 2025.
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