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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Goodwin is the comic relief. —Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2022

Our storyline is the comic relief. —Nojan Aminosharei, Harper's BAZAAR, 18 Apr. 2023

Nicholas was often called on to punctuate scenes with comic relief. —Katie Reul, Variety, 8 Jan. 2023

There was plenty of comic relief. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2023

Precise, talkative, but almost never emotional, Tech is often an inadvertent source of comic relief because of his complete inability to relate to anyone on human terms. —Lauren Morgan, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2023

This comic relief is a welcome diversion from our nation’s issues! —BostonGlobe.com, 27 Jan. 2023

For readers ready to chuck this issue out the window upon failing to solve a puzzle, here is some comic relief. —The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2022

Vandiyadevan soon falls in with a religious man, Azhwarkadiyan Nambi (Jayaram), another spy who also provides some comic relief. —Shalini Dore, Variety, 13 Oct. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above