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 comic relief took a million pounds off my back. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 Javier Bardem as Stilgar wins big in the comic relief department. Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 There are also the two comic relief characters Timon and Pumbaa. Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 2 Feb. 2024 Saba finds a driver, Nodar, who serves simultaneously as a straight-talking exemplar of Georgian fortitude, fellow sufferer (his young daughter has gone missing amid the strife) and comic relief. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2024 Awkwafina, often cast as the brazen comic relief, plays anxious game-show aficionado Anne, while the typically hyper-competent Sandra Oh plays Anne's messy older sister Jenny. Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023 Gwen's struggles with responsibility and grief resonate amid some wacky hijinx with antagonists like the Spot (Jason Schwartzman), who, for most of the movie, serves as comic relief more than a believable threat. Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 25 Dec. 2023 For nearly a year, as wars broke out and raged around the world; as a former President faced criminal charges for the first time, while running for President on a platform of political revenge; and as economic expectations did loop-de-loops, Santos was American politics’ comic relief. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023 Stern has a way of turning her underdog status as a notably abrasive musician into transcendent comic relief. Jenn Pelly, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comic relief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of comic relief was in 1783

Dictionary Entries Near comic relief

Cite this Entry

“Comic relief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comic%20relief. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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