Synonyms of facetious

facetious

adjective

fə-ˈsē-shəs 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• witty
• humorous
• clever
• funny
• jocular
• joking
• playful
• amusing
• smart
• comical
• ridiculous
• comic
• mischievous
• frivolous
• cerebral
• highbrow
• intellectual
• ludicrous
• entertaining
• hysterical
• flippant
• teasing
• farcical
• laughing
• jocose
• laughable
• jesting
• droll
• jovial
• merry
• risible
• mirthful
• riotous
• jolly
• antic
• uproarious
• bantering
• whimsical
• joshing
• rollicking
• waggish
• screaming
• prankish
• highbrowed
• sidesplitting
• diverting
• flip
• sparkling
• sunny
• jocund
• pert
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• scintillating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stupid
• witless
• lowbrow
• lame
• brainless
• corny
• hackneyed
• serious
• humorless
• earnest
• solemn
• hackney
• unfunny
• somber
• sombre
• sober
• grave
• serious-minded
• unamusing
• plaintive
• sorry
• doleful
• lachrymose
• tearful
• dolorous
• uncomic
• woeful

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cute
• flippant
• playful
• inappropriate
• wise
• smart
• smart-ass
• flip
• smart-assed
• smart-aleck
• pert
• wiseass
• mischievous
• smart-alecky
• smarty-pants
• rude
• frivolous
• casual
• cheeky
• impudent
• waggish
• cocky
• impertinent
• impish
• saucy
• sassy
• roguish
• disrespectful
• glib
• fresh
• thoughtless
• flighty
• breezy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincere
• earnest
• serious
• solemn
• grave
• sober
• somber
• sombre

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

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

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