as in humorous
causing or intended to cause laughter
made a droll comment about the commencement speaker's penchant for clichés
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor
the drolls of late-night TV had a field day with that senator's sexual shenanigans
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Recent Examples of droll
Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
In his typical droll fashion, Kelley penned his own third-person biographical sketch to introduce what became a longtime column.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 25 Dec. 2025
As Thornton is otherwise largely silent onstage, what’s going on inside the actor’s head while Reeves and Winter share droll, existentialist banter?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
Vince Gilligan moved to Apple and returned to his X-Files roots for the sci-fi horror dramatic comedy Pluribus, which used its ultra-mysterious and yet ultra-familiar genre trappings for a droll meditation on the eternal clash between collective joy and individual grouchiness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for droll
Adjective
Wilde delivers a pure-camp performance here, trying to one-up Miranda Priestly with her imperious workplace attitude, cover-girl eyeliner and droll line deliveries.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
In his typical droll fashion, Kelley penned his own third-person biographical sketch to introduce what became a longtime column.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 25 Dec. 2025
As Thornton is otherwise largely silent onstage, what’s going on inside the actor’s head while Reeves and Winter share droll, existentialist banter?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
Vince Gilligan moved to Apple and returned to his X-Files roots for the sci-fi horror dramatic comedy Pluribus, which used its ultra-mysterious and yet ultra-familiar genre trappings for a droll meditation on the eternal clash between collective joy and individual grouchiness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for droll
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droll
Adjective
-
The abundance of light that Koestenbaum sheds on the rabbi is humorous, sure, but also humanistic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The humorous contrast between his calm expression and his awkward position is what helped propel the clip across social media.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The 66-year-old comedian tells PEOPLE that performing with the late actress on Whose Line Is It Anyway?—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Bamford is a stand-up beloved by other performers, and her show features no small number of comedians in cameo roles.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Pickles frequently appear in comedic settings, from cartoon characters struggling with oversized jars to absurd internet memes celebrating the eccentricity of pickle enthusiasts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In this darkly comedic action thriller from director Ben Wheatley (High-Rise, FFF 2016) and the writer of John Wick, Bob Odenkirk stars as a new sheriff whose simple assignment unravels after a botched robbery proves that everything in the quiet town of Normal, Minnesota, is anything but!—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a funny reason why the pain flares in your upper face and forehead, a bit of a distance from the area responsible for the cold.—
Julia Daye,
Popular Science,
2 Apr. 2026
-
As funny as her life seems, like everyone's, serious moments pepper the comedy.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The surviving Cheetos, while amusing to viewers, stand as an odd visual amid an otherwise devastating event.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
To some on Capitol Hill, the freewheeling is more frustrating than amusing.—
Steven Sloan,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The locus of energy in My Lover, the Rabbi is not plot but comical, unhinged prose and extensive, psychoanalytic character readings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Hannah said the online reaction had been comical.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Soder is a comic’s comic whose sharp observational style and affable demeanor has earned him a strong reputation on the club circuit.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
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All joking aside, this Chris Columbus classic excels as a vehicle for Robin Williams' one-of-a-kind comic timing and vocal dexterity as his Daniel Hillard attempts to reintegrate with his family by way of heavy makeup and a silly voice.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Given the final score, the announcers may have found the most entertaining action in the ballpark that night.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
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Maul and Devon's relationship is an entertaining tug-of-war; Lawson is a caf-loving lawman best described as well-meaning, but out of his element; and the inevitable arrival of Imperial forces (including two Inquisitors) quickly threatens disaster for both sides.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Droll.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droll. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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