1
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
the film's sophisticated drolleries will elicit smiles and chuckles even upon repeated viewings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in humor
the amusing quality or element in something
though generally serious, the novel about a seriously dysfunctional family is not without drollery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drollery
In both films, Jarmusch strips away the ironic detachment and deadpan drollery that were part of his signature in the earlier movies that earned him a prominent spot on the American indie map.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
He is played by Ethan Hawke, a mainstay of Linklater’s movies, in a remarkable amalgam of bitterness, exuberance, drollery, tenderness, frustration, and tremendous artistic passion.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
Matthew Rankin’s latest surreal comedy, between hilarious drollery and bitter disillusionment.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
But his method is mostly charging into the fray, shouting battle cries or tossing out Australian drollery.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
He is played by Ethan Hawke, a mainstay of Linklater’s movies, in a remarkable amalgam of bitterness, exuberance, drollery, tenderness, frustration, and tremendous artistic passion.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
Matthew Rankin’s latest surreal comedy, between hilarious drollery and bitter disillusionment.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
But his method is mostly charging into the fray, shouting battle cries or tossing out Australian drollery.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drollery
Noun
-
Reddit users were quick to flood the post with excitement and jokes.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
And being Canadian, people do joke about that.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kimmel’s peers, including Stephen Colbert, whose own CBS show was cancelled in similar fashion just a couple months ago, responded to the news with biting humor and clear solidarity.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Additional humor comes from a very broad Farmiga, but the series forgets that Barbara exists for long stretches and rarely benefits from her presence.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Rob Gibson, Easy Tiger CEO, says comedy is always a tough sell because people are worried about whether the laughs will land.—
Paul Chai,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The script has eye rolling scenes mixed with laugh out loud moments.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Only an Aries, like Lily, can take Barney’s jabs in a joking way.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
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When Peanut pulled his second escape act, his owners knew where to look and handled Peanut's disappearance in a joking manner.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Here’s What to Know The irony was that this performance followed me into my career.—
Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
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The irony is many of America’s downtowns have come back since that embarrassing time in our history, and while the people and nightlife may be there, the sports franchises are fleeing toward the latest sucker.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps the only thing Gore Vidal enjoyed more than dispensing witticisms—or sipping a Macallan single malt—was being photographed.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
27 Sep. 2025
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Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism: Go f--- yourself.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The third annual Shine Away event, this year taking over the Universal Studios lot, also featured conversations with Mariska Hargitay, Chrissy Teigen, Malin Åkerman, Lilly Singh, Karen Pittman, Monica Lewinsky and Brittany Snow, along with an opening comedy set from Yvonne Orji.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Oct. 2025
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If Feel Good was comedy with a powerful dramatic arc, Wayward turns that formula on its head and is largely a drama with some lighter moments along the way.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drollery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drollery. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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