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
-
Horner seemed calm and articulate and also made inappropriate jokes during the interview, Espinoza said.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Yet, the three — even Cavallari and Conrad, who were pitted against each other in the 2000s — were warm and chummy, cracking jokes and enthusiastically agreeing with one another.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Take a fresh route that lets your natural humor and confidence lead the way!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Her work has been published in The New Yorker’s Shouts & Murmurs, New York magazine, NPR’s This American Life, and the humor anthology Notes From the Bathroom Line.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Willy laments to his stout and thankless wife, Linda (Laurie Metcalf, upholding her reputation as a Broadway MVP), that buyers on the road laugh at him — that one even called him a shrimp.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Five years — and many an Emmy later — the show's portrayal of strong female friendship doesn't cease to be inspiring, earning more than its fair share of laughs along the way.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was none of the usual laughing and joking.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The irony is not lost on her when Captain Cunningham’s mother (Frances Tomelty) shows up to pray with Claire for her son and Claire’s husband.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Apr. 2026
-
But the events were also laced with irony.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The initial experience of Shakespeare’s meter leads to a world of discovery of a man who quite literally changed the world with witticisms and insight and has shaped every corner of humanity since the 16th century.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
During Bloomberg’s pursuit of office, a 1990 booklet in which business colleagues had compiled his witticisms surfaced.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The spy dramedy will submit across 20 categories at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards, including lead comedy actress for Emilia Clarke and supporting actress for Haley Lu Richardson.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
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The roundtable-style comedy talk show, which is hosted by Allen, has featured comedians including Sebastian Maniscalco, Tiffany Haddish, Gabriel Iglesias, Cedric the Entertainer and Nate Bargatze.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drollery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drollery. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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