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

The clever premise provides the opportunity for plenty of high-octane action sequences, including fistfights, shootouts, explosions and car chases, with the hapless Ben providing comic relief from Hank’s Terminator-like indestructibility. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Their armory is formidable; their cash supply, a source of comic relief. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

But on a week when everyone’s timelines have been filled with sentimental Parton tributes, Diesel’s post — perhaps the most sentimental of them all — has been something of a moment that’s divided the internet and provided lots of comic relief. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026

Curry is largely there for comic relief, swanning in with a bevy of beauties, challenging Bosley (Bill Murray) to a sumo match, and, sadly, getting murdered by the pool, thus depriving us of Curry’s magnetic presence for the rest of the film. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for comic relief

• beef
• brief
• chief
• fief
• grief
• leaf
• lief
• reef
• reif
• seif
• sheaf
• thief