as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
humorless people who can't see the lighter side of life
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humorless
For Max in particular, his parent’s lifelong humorless severity looks more and more like malevolent delusion under a cloak of puritanical righteousness.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
One client found a way to use humor with a stereotypically humorless customer base: accountants.
—Ellie Victor, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Right now, the powers that be in America, humorless and self-aggrandizing, are hell-bent on running down whatever lies in their path.
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
There is plenty of commentary, even among users of other platforms, about how Threads is bloodless (and owned by Mark Zuckerberg), Mastodon is inscrutable, and Bluesky is humorless.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for humorless
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
One client found a way to use humor with a stereotypically humorless customer base: accountants.
—Ellie Victor, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Right now, the powers that be in America, humorless and self-aggrandizing, are hell-bent on running down whatever lies in their path.
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
There is plenty of commentary, even among users of other platforms, about how Threads is bloodless (and owned by Mark Zuckerberg), Mastodon is inscrutable, and Bluesky is humorless.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for humorless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorless
Adjective
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More than five hours after the crash, there was a solemn procession off of Route 146 led by Massachusetts State Police, followed by the medical examiner and fellow police officers.—
Anna Meiler,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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That this is a serious matter—not slight at all—does not oblige the author of a seriously funny book to be solemn.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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If Haaland isn’t my choice here, there should be serious consideration at The Athletic about sacking me.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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As for the safety of the drug, about 10% of the adults taking enlicitide experienced serious adverse events during the study and a similar share, about 12%, of those taking a placebo experienced adverse events in the study.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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On Academy Street, taken over by Dominicans, the Fourth translated into a jubilant handful of families and neighbors on each stretch of sidewalk, with speakers, folding chairs, and beer bottles at the foot of stern buildings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The boat can easily accommodate a dozen guests, thanks to the abundant seating, including a rear-facing lounge at the stern and bow lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Often taunted by tabloids for her unsmiling demeanor, Victoria shows off her sense of humor and gets real about some of the most difficult parts of her past, including her struggles with an eating disorder and almost losing her fashion business entirely.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
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The single mother of three was at her job that morning when she was asked to report immediately to the front of the building, where Wainscott was met by police officers — who showed her a photo of an unsmiling man in his early 30s, with short brown hair and a light goatee.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Abbott Elementary actor plays Sheriff Mark Mylow, a deeply earnest man who is dealing with a broken heart after school teacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer) ended their engagement.—
Sabienna Bowman,
PEOPLE,
2 Jan. 2026
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The industry loves an inside-out moment, and embracing Disney’s most famous—and famously earnest —mascot offers an opportunity to imbue the 97-year-old cartoon rodent with some real edge.—
Faran Krentcil,
InStyle,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humorless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorless. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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