1
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor
the essay is a facetious commentary on the absurdity of war as a solution for international disputes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred
a facetious and tasteless remark about people in famine-stricken countries being spared the problem of overeating
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of facetious
To be facetious, how many of those people who committed mass murder in the fifth largest city in America went to death row?
—
Dave Zirin, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
At first, Yellow Face offers a facetious and overly complicated panorama, shuffling Daniel Dae Kim’s glibly intellectual DHH and Francis Jue’s heartfelt HYH among the Asian, black, and white supporting actors who portray various egotistic New York professionals.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 May 2025
In the 30-second ad, 314 Action presented Kennedy’s swim in Rock Creek as absurd, posting it next to two facetious headlines saying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered drone strikes from a steam bath and another saying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shot and killed another dog.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 19 May 2025
Given this is an AMA, there is no clear way to tell if Perkins was being facetious or not.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for facetious
Dave Zirin, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
At first, Yellow Face offers a facetious and overly complicated panorama, shuffling Daniel Dae Kim’s glibly intellectual DHH and Francis Jue’s heartfelt HYH among the Asian, black, and white supporting actors who portray various egotistic New York professionals.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 May 2025
In the 30-second ad, 314 Action presented Kennedy’s swim in Rock Creek as absurd, posting it next to two facetious headlines saying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered drone strikes from a steam bath and another saying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shot and killed another dog.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 19 May 2025
Given this is an AMA, there is no clear way to tell if Perkins was being facetious or not.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for facetious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facetious
Adjective
-
This part of the film is witty and almost believable.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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There’s something about these witty, light trunk songs that feels gayer than the sturdy musicals that Rodgers and Hammerstein started writing.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Though when he’s finally seen in full evil flight, the actor is arguably allowed to wax a little too cute about it.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Place them in a cute Weck jar and have a little pickle fork handy.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Butler went for a mix of serious and humorous in his statement on the pickup.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
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The two American stars, the reason for Hulu to be giving this one a push, are both very good, using their respective comic personae to humorous effect but not schtick.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Last fall, New York’s Republican State Committee suspended a Young Republican organization following the release of a group chat that included jokes about rape and flippant commentary on gas chambers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The flippant, tattooed, boisterous soul singer from South London has drawn Amy Winehouse comparisons.—
Ramon Ramirez,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As clever Mercury uplifts Mars in your 10th House of Professionality, the universe clears space for you to pitch ideas, request resources, or lead a project.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The colorful and sophisticated accommodations emphasize comfort via squishy couches and plush bedding, and clever layouts make smart use of the space in rooms and suites alike.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The fashion icon made a playful reference to the film while presenting the award for best makeup and hairstyling alongside Hathaway.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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The collection was still as sexy as ever though, with the playful print appearing on itty-bitty bikinis, barely-there blouses, and, as seen here in look 3, low-slung trousers.—
Rosie Jarman,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Facetious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facetious. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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