Synonyms of humor

humor 1 of 2

noun

ˈhyü-mər 

1

as in humorousness

the amusing quality or element in something

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humorousness
• irony
• comedy
• funniness
• comicality
• richness
• drollery
• hilariousness
• drollness
• comic
• amusement
• enjoyment
• satire
• pleasure
• absurdity
• uproariousness
• ridiculousness
• wittiness
• whimsicality
• wryness
• ludicrousness
• playfulness
• jocularity
• fun
• parody
• slapstick
• spoof
• burlesque
• lampoon
• farce
• jokiness
• caricature
• takeoff
• laughableness
• jest
• waggishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pathos
• sorrow
• grief
• misery
• anguish
• gravity
• seriousness
• torture
• heartbreak
• heartache
• agony
• woe
• tribulation
• torment
• solemnity
• dolor
• somberness
• soberness
• solemnness

2

as in comedy

humorous entertainment

a screenwriter best known for lowbrow humor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• comedy
• satire
• slapstick
• farce
• parody
• fun
• burlesque
• wit
• banter
• high comedy
• low comedy
• improv
• drollery
• stand-up
• persiflage
• knockabout
• horseplay
• foolery
• shenanigan(s)
• monkeyshine(s)

3

as in spirit

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 & Similar Words

• spirit
• mood
• mode
• temper
• attitude
• cheer
• frame of mind
• emotion
• perspective
• feather
• standpoint
• viewpoint
• opinion
• angle
• outlook
• sentiment
• sensitivity
• conviction
• judgement
• feeling
• judgment
• heart
• belief
• slant
• vein
• mind
• tone
• expression
• personality
• sensibility
• temperament
• identity
• mind-set
• strain
• passion
• individuality
• responsiveness
• disposition
• makeup
• sensitiveness
• character
• selfhood
• mettle
• self-identity

4

as in whim

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 & Similar Words

• whim
• whimsy
• whimsey
• notion
• caprice
• bee
• vagary
• kink
• vagrancy
• maggot
• fantasy
• whimsicality
• crank
• thought
• image
• impression
• megrim
• freak
• fancy
• fancifulness
• phantasy
• bee in one's bonnet
• capriciousness
• freakishness
• picture
• concept
• impetuosity
• conceit
• conception
• inspiration
• brainstorm
• mind's eye

humor

2 of 2

verb

as in to cater (to)

to give in to (a desire)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cater (to)
• indulge
• please
• delight
• gratify
• spoil
• revel
• satisfy
• bask
• pleasure
• wallow
• pamper
• luxuriate
• coddle
• satiate
• sate
• mollycoddle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• check
• restrain
• curb
• stifle
• inhibit
• constrain
• bridle

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun humor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of humor are irony, repartee, sarcasm, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," 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

When could irony be used to replace humor?

While in some cases nearly identical to 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

When might repartee be a better fit than humor?

The words repartee and humor can be used in similar contexts, but repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

Where would sarcasm be a reasonable alternative to humor?

Although the words sarcasm and humor have much in common, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

In what contexts can satire take the place of humor?

The synonyms satire and humor are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When can wit be used instead of humor?

The meanings of wit and humor largely overlap; however, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of humor

Noun

The film’s blend of humor, supernatural elements and folklore struck a chord with audiences, paving the way for further exploration of the genre. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 May 2025

The director’s observation of the mutable contracts between sisters, and even more so, fathers and daughters, is intensely affecting in a movie freighted with melancholy but also leavened by notes of surprising humor. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025

Verb

Superstars know when they’re being humored. —Bruce Tulgan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

There's the twangy Ratliff family − Timothy (Jason Isaacs), Victoria (Parker Posey), Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lachlan (Sam Nivola) − a North Carolinian dynasty humoring their daughter's interest in Buddhism. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025

Phrases Containing humor

• out of humor