Thesaurus

humor

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of humor

1 the amusing quality or element in something

we failed to see any humor in his mean and juvenile jokes

Synonyms of humor

comedy, comic, comicality, drollery, drollness, funniness, hilariousness, humorousness, richness, uproariousness

Words Related to humor

amusement, enjoyment, fun, pleasure

absurdity, irony, laughableness, ludicrousness, ridiculousness

whimsicality, wittiness, wryness

burlesque, caricature, farce, jest, lampoon, parody, satire, slapstick, spoof, takeoff

jocularity, jokiness, playfulness, waggishness

Near Antonyms of humor

agony, anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, misery, sorrow, torment, torture, tribulation, woe

gravity, seriousness, soberness, solemnity, solemnness, somberness

Antonyms of humor

2 humorous entertainment

a screenwriter best known for lowbrow humor

Synonyms of humor

comedy, farce, slapstick

Words Related to humor

high comedy, low comedy

burlesque, parody, satire

improv, stand-up

banter, drollery, persiflage, wit

foolery, fun, horseplay, knockabout, monkeyshine(s), shenanigan(s)

3 a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion

the prospect of going out to dinner put her in a good humor all day

Synonyms of humor

cheer, feather, mode, mood, spirit, temper

Words Related to humor

angle, attitude, mind-set, outlook, perspective, slant, standpoint, viewpoint

emotion, feeling, heart, passion, sentiment

belief, conviction, judgment (or judgement), mind, opinion

expression, tone, vein

character, disposition, identity, individuality, makeup, mettle, personality, selfhood, self-identity, temper, temperament

responsiveness, sensibility, sensitiveness, sensitivity

Phrases Synonymous with humor

4 a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action

she was seized by a sudden humor to contact an old college friend that she hadn't seen in ages

Synonyms of humor

bee, caprice, crank, fancy, freak, kink, maggot, megrim, notion, vagary, vagrancy, whim, whimsy (also whimsey)

Words Related to humor

capriciousness, fancifulness, fantasy (also phantasy), freakishness, impetuosity, whimsicality

concept, conception, image, impression, mind's eye, picture, thought

brainstorm, inspiration

Phrases Synonymous with humor

bee in one's bonnet

Synonym Discussion of humor

wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement. wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

- a playful wit

humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

- a sense of humor

irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

- the irony of the title

sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

- given to heartless sarcasm

satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

- a satire on the Congress

repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

- a dinner guest noted for repartee

humor

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of humor

to give in to (a desire)

humored her grandfather by listening to his war stories for the hundredth time

Synonyms of humor

cater (to), gratify, indulge

Words Related to humor

bask, luxuriate, revel, wallow

coddle, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil

delight, please, pleasure

sate, satiate, satisfy

Near Antonyms of humor

bridle, check, constrain, curb, inhibit, restrain, stifle

Synonym Discussion of humor

indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings. indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

- indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

- pampered by the amenities of modern living

humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

- humored him by letting him tell the story

spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

- foolish parents spoil their children

baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

- babying students by grading too easily

mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

- refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

Learn More about humor

See words that rhyme with humor Dictionary: Definition of humor Medical Dictionary: Definition of humor Spanish Central: Translation of humor Nglish: Translation of humor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of humor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about humor

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up humor? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

propitious

likely to have or produce good results