HUMOROUS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

humorous

adjective

ˈhyüm-rəs

Definition of humorous

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter the humorous moments in an otherwise somber affair "most humorous costume" went to the girl dressed as Little Bo Peep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in witty

given to or marked by mature intelligent humor the movie's a humorous look at love and marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 On Christmas Day, Neon will weigh in with the best of the three, Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial, a humorous and ultimately horrifying account of 20 years of AI evolution and a scorching portrait of OpenAI founder Sam Altman. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 What readers are saying The conversation explores a humorous and critical response to an article about making the perfect cup of coffee. — Tim Carman, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026 Down recalled one humorous tea time with de Havilland, which was hosted by Hayley and Juliet Mills’ mother (and John Mills’ wife), Mary. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026 The request, which Seaver shared in the family’s full death announcement⁠, offered a characteristically humorous final image from Parton and further illustrated the trust between the singer and her nephew. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for humorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorous

Adjective

Divorced from the context of a map, Texas' congressional districts might just look like a collection of funny shapes.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
China did not find anything funny about the French star laughing at a meme of Mao, the communist dictator whose regime resulted in tens of millions of deaths.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Shaw’s witty drawing-room debates also warn of a society indulging its whims as catastrophe approaches — a question of how to live when the world careens toward darkness.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Despite the occasional witty crossover event, English and ASL evolve in completely distinct environments, and at different speeds.

— New York Times, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of witty

Adjective

Even the Harlem Globetrotters occasionally shelved their comedic antics for a night and sent out a highly competitive team to take on college basketball’s best.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Robertson traces Perry’s life as a child of divorce to a hopeful comedic actor to star of one of the biggest TV shows of all time.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

More Life Kit on home organization 5 clever design tricks to make a small home look bigger.

— Andee Tagle, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Airbnb’s story began back in 2007 with three air mattresses in a San Francisco living room—prompting then-roommates Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia to conceive clever ways to make rent.

— Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of clever

Adjective

Still, the episodes move along so fast and the bursts of talent emerge with enough frequency that Minimum Wage makes for an amusing, energetic, instantly disposable binge.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
Some participants appreciate the light-hearted and good-natured humor, expressing gratitude and finding it timely and amusing.

— Edith Pritchett, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

This isn’t the first time real-world politics have informed comic writing.

— Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
The church elders’ comic banter brings the play to life, but a mother-daughter clash over faith, independence and gender politics feels underdeveloped, despite a visually striking production.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of comic

Adjective

The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings weren’t going to re-create double-overtime playoff moments from the early 2010s on Tuesday, but the game was still an entertaining affair.

— Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
In addition to a pool with an inset spa, the resort-like grounds host an entertaining pavilion anchored by a pizza oven, bar, and grilling station, as well as a mini-golf course and putting area.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of entertaining

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“Humorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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