1
2

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 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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for facetious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facetious
Adjective
  • As more viewers saw the video on TikTok, thousands of people shared their own witty responses and comments.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Alice Babette Toklas, the ideal reader who became Stein’s wife, made a name for herself by writing a witty cookbook that included a friend’s recipe for hashish fudge.
    Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand’s Deep Trance Corduroy Pants are also a cute option to wear with some boots and a pea or trench coat this season.
    Shawna Hudson, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Best Toy for Imaginative Play Plant the seeds of creative play with this trio of plush toy veggies that are too cute to eat.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course not, but that’s the whole point of the humorous commercial.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The video serves as a humorous response and a technical showcase following the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)’s humanoid robot demonstration.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something so hilariously flippant about Taylor’s mean streak these days.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Worse for Wilson, Sherman's Hall of Fame broadcast teammate, Tony Gonzalez, bordered on flippant in dismissing Wilson's candidacy.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The combination of clear instructions, clever engineering and high-energy videos makes CrunchLabs stand out among subscription boxes, offering a yearlong experience that feels fresh with each delivery.
    Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Luckily, clever Frances must have understood her caper was destined for failure.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This barrel chair nails that sweet spot between playful and polished.
    Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The playful routine earned high praise from the judges, who were swept up in the performance.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on facetious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!