gallows humor
noun
: humor that makes fun of a life-threatening, disastrous, or terrifying situation
Examples of gallows humor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even the doomed Predator gets to laugh before the end credits, albeit with a generous dollop of gallows humor.
—
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 19 Nov. 2025
His self-reflection was ultimately triumphant, but kept the tone that endeared him to his fans over the years: a familiar mix of wry self-awareness and gallows humor.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2025
Currents of fear and pain run beneath the hypermasculine bravado and gallows humor, often rising in the middle of the action.
—Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
As represented by Camus, absurdism emphasizes accepting the absurdity of life and finding joy without illusions, often through gallows humor.
—Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gallows humor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 19 Nov. 2025
His self-reflection was ultimately triumphant, but kept the tone that endeared him to his fans over the years: a familiar mix of wry self-awareness and gallows humor.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2025
Currents of fear and pain run beneath the hypermasculine bravado and gallows humor, often rising in the middle of the action.
—Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
As represented by Camus, absurdism emphasizes accepting the absurdity of life and finding joy without illusions, often through gallows humor.
—Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gallows humor
Cite this Entry
“Gallows humor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallows%20humor. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share