slapstick
noun
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The idea that knocking people about made for good comedy dates as far back as the Greco-Roman theater, where clowns rambunctiously "attacked" one another onstage. The object from which the word slapstick derives, however, was invented in Italy in the 16th century. Renaissance comedy typically featured stock characters placed in ridiculous situations, and one such ubiquitous character was Harlequin, whose brilliant costuming made him easily recognizable. Harlequin was given to wielding a paddle which was designed to make a terrible noise when he hit someone, usually to the delight of the audience. This paddle was eventually known in English as a "slapstick," and it became a symbol of that type of highly physical comedy. The word slapstick then came to refer to the comedy itself.
Examples of slapstick in a Sentence
Arthur Knight, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Some situations border on slapstick such as a midnight robbery Blake and Philippe undertake to retrieve a cherished wedding ring Madame Beauvillier was forced to sell for the money.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 July 2025
Built for global appeal, his videos are light on dialogue and heavy on slapstick.
—Steven Bertoni, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
True to the Housefull world, Housefull 5 is a no-brainer, full of slapstick comedy, vulgar and suggestive dialogues and mostly unfunny jokes.
—Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Cite this Entry
“Slapstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slapstick. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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