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Synonym Chooser

How is the word humorous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of humorous are facetious, jocose, jocular, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can facetious take the place of humorous?

While the synonyms facetious and humorous are close in meaning, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

How are the words jocose and facetious related as synonyms of humorous?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.

jocose proposals

When might jocular be a better fit than humorous?

The synonyms jocular and humorous are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When is witty a more appropriate choice than humorous?

Although the words witty and humorous have much in common, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

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 humorous But then there are creative, fictional and even humorous elements too. Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 June 2025 This is not a place for idle gossip, humorous asides or partisan flattery. Dr. John Blakey, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Chan, a Poway resident, writes about family and community life and shares humorous views of topics of the day. Wayne Chan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025 Earlier this week, on Monday, June 9, Matthew posted about their 13th wedding anniversary in an equally humorous way. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for humorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorous
Adjective
  • Much like his character, Boyce is mild-mannered, kind and effortlessly funny.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • There’s definitely something funny going on with the Universe.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • No, really — with her sharp and witty books like this one and The Partly-Cloudy Patriot, Vowell does for history what Neil deGrasse Tyson does for science.
    Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
  • The marketing folks may be pushing it as the first real rom-com in years, but Song wisely and adeptly sidesteps all the tropes of the typical rom-com to deliver a smart, witty film about finding dates and mates in 21st century America.
    Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Largely, comedic multi-hyphenates who have gone on to enduring careers in front of and behind the camera.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 June 2025
  • The comedic sci-fi film from Amazon MGM Studios follows Gosling, whose character makes a leap from unassuming teacher to an astronaut assigned to a risky space mission.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Even the cleverest plans leave room for a little improvisation.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • This clever deck box works overtime as a bench for additional seating.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sharina Martin is Renee, an editor at the print magazine version of HGTV who buys into the whole Diane experience, professionally and personally, and does it with a sharp amusing stylishness.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
  • In an amusing send-up of Hollywood's penchant for making reboot characters related to original franchise players, the trailers also introduce children of George Kennedy's Ed Hocken and Simpson's Nordberg, the former of which is played by Paul Water Hauser.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Not so fast, because in comical fashion, Derringer is stuck hanging from a tree, and Clarke has to climb it to help him out.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 June 2025
  • When the show won its sixth award of the night, for Best Comedy Series, Matheson and costar Ebon Moss-Bachrach shared a comical kiss.
    Avalon Hester, People.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Southern comic Dusty Slay has inked a deal for Netflix to debut Wet Heat, his second special for the service in two years, on the heels of 2024’s Workin’ Man, which will premiere on July 29.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 June 2025
  • The teaser first airs on on the season 2 finale of The Walking Dead: Dead City, yet another spinoff of the prolific post-apocalyptic series adapted by Frank Darabont from the comic series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Snag outdoor storage boxes, side tables, and rolling bar carts for entertaining.
    Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • Ker’s attempts to get fit enough to run a marathon in aid of the Wrexham Miners Project proved an entertaining subplot throughout series four.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Humorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorous. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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