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
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Arnett, Cooper, and Mark Chappell cowrote the screenplay, and Cooper portrays Balls, Alex's actor friend who serves as the film's comic relief.
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Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Dustin was just the smart comic relief.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
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.
—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
See All Example Sentences for comic relief
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Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Dustin was just the smart comic relief.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
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.
—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
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 13 Jan. 2026.
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