Definition of facetiousnext

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 Huff had one quarterback pressure Sunday (being facetious). Matt Barrows, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for facetious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facetious
Adjective
  • Kasdan gives viewers an intimate look at the witty Short, 76, through home footage shot by the star and interviews with early collaborators Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin and Catherine O'Hara, who died in January of a pulmonary embolism, following a rectal cancer diagnosis.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 May 2026
  • Yearning for a witty memoir or a lush Costa Rica setting?
    Michael Schaub, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • Walter, who had left the Progressive Labor Party, didn’t preach Marxism to his son, but Riley embraced a radical-left viewpoint on his own, after tagging along with some cute older girls who were participating in a cannery workers’ strike.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • He's described as being cute, with chin-length dark hair, dimples and a diamond stud in one ear.
    Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • The satire was fictitious and its intent only humorous.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, Anderson uses vocal effects throughout the record that are both humorous and eerie.
    David Harris, SPIN, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Chick lit was flippant and fizzy and fun, above all, as effervescent and guiltless as a vodka soda.
    Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 4 May 2026
  • During his Monday night Daily Show episode, the political comic blasted the POTUS’ flippant attitude toward his largely unfavorable military decisions in the SWANA region.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But the most clever way to take advantage of this trend?
    Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
  • This clever ruse thwarted the late-summer naval attack.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • May 21 – June 20 A playful idea could attract the right ally faster than expected today.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • Leo July 23 – August 22 A playful risk could turn into something surprisingly grand today.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Facetious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facetious. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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