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
Relevance
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
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
For a man known around the Pentagon as a relentless, humorless taskmaster, McNamara seemed virtually unrecognizable on the party circuit, mingling casually with journalists, fellow government officials, and vivacious Georgetown hostesses.
—William Taubman, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Single-minded and fairly humorless, Chappellet is impelled but seldom impulsive.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 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
See All Example Sentences for humorless
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025
For a man known around the Pentagon as a relentless, humorless taskmaster, McNamara seemed virtually unrecognizable on the party circuit, mingling casually with journalists, fellow government officials, and vivacious Georgetown hostesses.
—William Taubman, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Single-minded and fairly humorless, Chappellet is impelled but seldom impulsive.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 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
See All Example Sentences for humorless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorless
Adjective
-
Comedian Chris Tucker added some levity to the solemn services with a stand-up set.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Also present for the solemn event were governors and senators from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Florida.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The most serious mid-air collision involving the plane happened in 1966, when a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs struck a tanker near Palomares, Spain.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Minarik warned that, absent serious cost-cutting reforms, of which TrumpRx is but a small part, healthcare is only going to become more expensive.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a stern warning to the Iranians after an Iranian missile was launched at Turkey and was shot down by NATO defense forces.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Ye allegedly demanded in a stern voice mimicked on the stand by Holding.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
So much for my unsmiling open mouth in my 2026 passport photo.—
Paul Keane,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Her role as the earnest, free-spirited teen figuring out life in Texas quickly caught fans’ attention after the series premiered in November 2024.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Foligno always skirted the line between earnest and corny, but nobody ever doubted his sincerity.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humorless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorless. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
