humorless

adjective

ˈhyü-mər-ləs How to pronounce humorless (audio)
Definition of humorlessnext
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner humorless people who can't see the lighter side of life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 humorless Credit perhaps goes to Belew’s fellowship with Zappa, or Fripp’s growing resistance to being pegged as some humorless tyrant. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2026 Funny novels are invariably more serious than humorless ones. — Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 In Prime 4, Samus is humorless, simply nodding along while others try their best at second-rate comedy. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025 The woman’s gray hair, her sunglasses, her sharp nose, her soft chin, and her utterly humorless expression contrasted with the almost cartoonish proportion of her political expression. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humorless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorless
  1. solemn
  2. serious
  3. stern
  4. unsmiling
  5. earnest
Adjective
  • This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Zack Wheeler pitched a gem against Tampa Bay on Sunday and untangled a few thousand knots inside the stomachs of Phillies fans, and even from those inside a mostly solemn clubhouse.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs) treat all foot conditions ranging from toenails, bunions, fractures, and plantar fasciitis to serious diabetic foot complications that can lead to limb amputation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • What began as a hobby to help explain complex redistricting cases more effectively has grown into a serious media operation.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • As the Pacific Princess’ Captain Stubing, Gavin MacLeod played the stern yet beloved authority figure better than many might’ve expected, given how closely he’d become associated with comedy by that point.
    — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The new trailer for Paper Tiger transfers this dynamic onto the scene of a rehabilitation project for New York City’s Gowanus Canal, resulting in far graver consequences than a stern talking-to from mom.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • Trump’s twenty-five-minute address, delivered from the East Room, had the self-congratulatory air of a State of the Union speech without the accompanying props—cheering lawmakers, unsmiling Justices, celebrity guests.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • In the clip, Josie has a serious, unsmiling expression, which created a humorous contrast with the celebratory scene around her.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Definition of unsmiling
Adjective
  • The conviction is genuine and earnest, even if the priorities tell another story.
    — Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Within ideologies like effective altruism, very earnest and brilliant young minds unironically debate the purpose of putting on sunscreen if AI is only going to kill us all.
    — Rumman Chowdhury, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of earnest

Browse Nearby Words

humorists
humorless
humorlessness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Humorless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorless. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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