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

Peter Jurasik played Centauri ambassador Mollari for the show’s entire run, charting his slide from comic relief into a man undone by his own ambition. — Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026

Tony Martinez as Pepino Garcia Tony Martinez portrayed Pepino, the McCoys’ farmhand who often served as comic relief. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Ser Simon, steward of Harrenhal, was a bit of comic relief in a show that seems allergic to the stuff. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Cretton explained that he was drawn to Trevor Slattery due to the depth that Kingsley brought to character that otherwise could have just been comic relief. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 June 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