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Synonym Chooser

How is the word facetious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of facetious are humorous, jocose, jocular, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

When is humorous a more appropriate choice than facetious?

The words humorous and facetious can be used in similar contexts, but humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

How are the words jocose and facetious related?

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

jocose proposals

When can jocular be used instead of facetious?

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

a jocular fellow

When could witty be used to replace facetious?

While the synonyms witty and facetious are close in meaning, 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 facetious That quip no longer seems so facetious as a son of exiles who fled their homeland prepares to become America’s top diplomat. Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024 Since returning to the White House in January, he’s repeatedly teased the idea of running again — but, unlike his recent comments, his past remarks have appeared to be facetious. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 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 Trump has been pushing an imperialist vision that includes U.S. acquisition of Greenland, Panama, and — on a more facetious note — Canada. Andrew Solender, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for facetious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facetious
Adjective
  • No, really — with her sharp and witty books like this one and The Partly-Cloudy Patriot, Vowell does for history what Neil deGrasse Tyson does for science.
    Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
  • The marketing folks may be pushing it as the first real rom-com in years, but Song wisely and adeptly sidesteps all the tropes of the typical rom-com to deliver a smart, witty film about finding dates and mates in 21st century America.
    Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Oh, and the best pairs of the bunch are also plain old comfy (and cute, in a gorpcore kind of way).
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 7 July 2025
  • July 6, 2025: Rodman watching Shelton’s match at Wimbledon is so cute the ESPN announcer literally giggles trying to talk about them.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • In her recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday, June 24, the actress shared a humorous story about her children's reaction to her mullet haircut for the film.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • There were humorous suggestions to get round the problem, such as clitch, but none caught on.
    David Crystal June 27, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • In turn, much of My Face Hurts From Smiling is downright flippant.
    Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
  • Her flippant attitude toward school, her refusal to talk through her grief, and her slippery grasp on the concepts of right and wrong can all be traced to that fateful night in this garage.
    Stacia Brown, Vulture, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Light, clever, and just leftfield enough to feel like a proper find.
    Lela London, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Dubno’s novel sounds equally thoughtful and nasty, clever and juicy and full of great drama.
    Literary Hub July 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Ludus refers to playful, game-like love that values fun and avoids deep commitment.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • Even more recently, Dua Lipa debuted a playful French manicure with white polka dots on black tips, adding even more white spots all-over a couple accent nails.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Facetious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facetious. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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