HUMOROUS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'humorous' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of humorous are facetious , jocose , jocular , and witty . While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity. // humorous anecdotes

Q: In what contexts can 'facetious' take the place of 'humorous'?

While the synonyms facetious and humorous are close in meaning, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor. // facetious comments

Q: How are the words 'jocose' and 'facetious' related as synonyms of 'humorous'?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness. // jocose proposals

Q: When might 'jocular' be a better fit than 'humorous'?

The synonyms jocular and humorous are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking. // a jocular fellow

Q: When is 'witty' a more appropriate choice than 'humorous'?

Although the words witty and humorous have much in common, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind. // a witty remark

humorous

adjective

ˈhyüm-rəs

Definition of humorous

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter the humorous moments in an otherwise somber affair "most humorous costume" went to the girl dressed as Little Bo Peep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in witty

given to or marked by mature intelligent humor the movie's a humorous look at love and marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word humorous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of humorous are facetious, jocose, jocular, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can facetious take the place of humorous?

While the synonyms facetious and humorous are close in meaning, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

How are the words jocose and facetious related as synonyms of humorous?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.

jocose proposals

When might jocular be a better fit than humorous?

The synonyms jocular and humorous are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When is witty a more appropriate choice than humorous?

Although the words witty and humorous have much in common, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of humorous That's because when the stakes are high, and the actors begin to cry, the serious tone begs to be subverted by a humorous caption. — Owen Carry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 The 37-year-old known for sprinkling her comments with profanity and leaning into her edgy and sometimes humorous social media profile excited the liberal wing of the party. — Scott Bauer, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026 Through hardships, culture clashes and humorous moments lost in translation, Ivan will, over the course of the series, take on the Herculean task of building a business and rebuilding a life. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 Jill Linnett from Lake Wylie, South Carolina, likes surprising her little ones with humorous messages written in chalk markers on their sandwich containers. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for humorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorous

Adjective

Sarcasm is an interesting thing because it can be viewed by some people as funny and other people as hurtful.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
A little bit funny, a lot cheesy and completely, unabashedly earnest, her Liz is — like moms everywhere — at once a perfectly ordinary woman and the center of the universe.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Williams captivated the world with his unpredictable, witty humor and joyful personality in television and movies until taking his own life in 2014 at age 63.

— PJ Green August 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen tells the story of Colette (Caruso), a witty young dreamer in 20th-century Paris, who finds her power through writing.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of witty

Adjective

The other presidents had some semblance of comedic appreciation, whether through cynicism, irony, sarcasm, joke-telling, joke appreciation or storytelling.

— John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Rhys is a rare double nominee at the Emmys this year, as he was recognized for both his comedic performance on Widow’s Bay and his dramatic turn on The Beast in Me.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

The screenplay by Samy Burch (Oscar-nominated for May December) features one clever gag after another, such as Road Runner, making a surprise appearance in the courtroom, delivering his testimony via beeps.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Rather than requiring you to completely detach the blades or assemble the rotor head using screws or tools in the field, the R1 uses a clever flexible four-blade geometry.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of clever

Adjective

The oysters and the pretzels are amusing moments, but the real tension comes as the group are just sitting and talking.

— Deadline, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
The format was an amusing detour as the crowd heard from Shiflett (No Use for a Name), Jaffee (The Wallflowers), Mendel (Sunny Day Real Estate), Smear (The Germs) and Rubin (The New Regime).

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

The young man who first came into our universe as a comical and sensitive personality developed into a force who would become a two-time champion, and he will be sorely missed.

— Emily Longeretta, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Since the product's release, countless shoppers have taken to social media and the brand's website to leave comical reviews.

— Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of comical

Adjective

Instead, Farage's main opponent is Count Binface, a political satirist posing as a comic space alien, with a keen interest in earthly matters, including the positioning of a hand dryer in the men's toilet in a pub in west London.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
The pacing feels off throughout much of the film, with comic and contemplative asides gumming up the central caper.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of comic

Adjective

Art fairs, collectors’ homes, artists’ studios, galas… The film is a welcoming and entertaining dive amongst the 1% and explores the complicated relationship between artists and commerce.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
As part of our month-long Fall Reset, today's focus is all about Halloween and fall entertaining.

— Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of entertaining

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“Humorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorous. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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