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
All this alarm and losing has made Democratic politics a rather miserable and humorless endeavor.
—
Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
But the finished product feels relatively humorless, leaving the cast looking silly in scenes that might conceivably have flown if played as deadpan comedy — not a tenor achieved or seemingly even aimed for here.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
Worst of all, Phillips has intentionally or unintentionally created a bizarro, humorless version of My Cousin Vinny.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 4 Oct. 2024
Creating online classrooms as ‘humorless’ venues deprives both teachers and students of an incredibly powerful communication asset.
—Maja Zelihic, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for humorless
Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
But the finished product feels relatively humorless, leaving the cast looking silly in scenes that might conceivably have flown if played as deadpan comedy — not a tenor achieved or seemingly even aimed for here.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
Worst of all, Phillips has intentionally or unintentionally created a bizarro, humorless version of My Cousin Vinny.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 4 Oct. 2024
Creating online classrooms as ‘humorless’ venues deprives both teachers and students of an incredibly powerful communication asset.
—Maja Zelihic, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for humorless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorless
Adjective
-
President Donald Trump delivered a history-laden Memorial Day speech after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, his remarks echoing against the solemn backdrop of Arlington National Cemetery, final resting place of more than 400,000 veterans and their family members.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
-
Easter can be a solemn event, but only the few days before.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
Created by a Benedictine monk with a serious eye for detail, this whimsical stop features 125 tiny, handcrafted replicas of famous historic landmarks, like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, all located on the grounds of Alabama’s only Benedictine monastery, St. Bernard Abbey.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
-
Seven restaurants were closed because of serious health violations: Chuys Restaurant, 4441 River Oaks Blvd., had a score of 27 and was closed because of unsafe temperatures in the restaurant’s cold storage units.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
The flybridge has a reverse radar arch that prompts a double take, while the remainder of the exterior focuses on open space (case in point, the foredeck), along with the beautiful design of the cockpit and stern area.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
28 May 2025
-
And, Boeing would have had to submit to a Justice Department—appointed compliance monitor, with the independence and power to impose stern safety reforms.—
Charles Tiefer,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
The card's main feature is Trump's face — staring downwards at the camera, unsmiling — and is flanked by the Statue of Liberty, a circle of stars and Trump's signature.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Prima felt that there was something humiliating in Ruth’s loyalty to Thalia, and in her unsmiling scrutiny of Heiss.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
Momentous Human Payoff Ahead Moving the needle on the subjective vs. objective preponderance in psychology is going to take earnest and undeterred energy and attention.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
There are satirical photographs and movingly earnest video.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humorless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorless. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share