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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 His content, often featuring humorous music about food was intended as motivation for Lomax’s own health journey. Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025 The humorous post comes a few weeks after Diplo addressed his past fling with the pop star — who is now linked to Trudeau — on Nayeema Raza’s Smart Girls Dumb Questions podcast. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025 Hirt, the retired state DOJ agent, said one item in Farzam’s home was particularly humorous. Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025 These narrow, often negative or humorous stereotypes have helped to set the visual schema for rural life, governing popular representations of individuals, families, and relationships in these communities. William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorous
Adjective
  • Anyone vaguely near the aesthetic gets christened it by fans, including Bassvictim, who were always funnier and more creative than the other modern electroclash revivalists.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The performance is funny and manic and just the right amount of sad and desperate.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The explosive trailer showcases the series’ signature elements including witty dialogues, high-octane action, thrilling chases and the blurred lines between Srikant’s personal and professional life.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
  • While this gentler effort is unlikely to be similarly impactful, its witty humor and genuine emotionalism recall the best of Pixar, where its director worked as a story artist on such films as Wall-E and Incredibles 2.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s been 48 years since Three’s Company brought together three zany roommates — who weren’t supposed to be living together, according to the landlord’s rules — who charmed the world with their comedic antics.
    Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Ingmar Bergman’s early-fifties soap commercials put daring methods—metafiction, animation, and even a 3-D parody—to comedic ends.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • A lot of clever stuff goes into this.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
  • This clever coffee table’s top lifts smoothly and locks into place to create a dining area or workspace.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Arthur is known as Conkling’s hatchet man, a customs collector for the Port of New York who’s shown, in one amusing snippet, presiding over the beating of a noncompliant businessman.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Garner is a brilliant observer and listener — every page has a surprising, sharp or amusing thought.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • With Bush out of town on that fateful day, Cheney was a steady presence in the White House, at least until Secret Service agents lifted him off his feet and carried him away, in a scene the vice president later described to comical effect.
    Calvin Woodward, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Tottenham Hotspur were twice beaten in comical circumstances on Chelsea’s previous visits to north London.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Cosplay furthers the cause with a dazzling array of comic pop culture references, repurposed arcana, and piquant sonic signifiers from the annals of indie-rock.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Featuring Finnish actors Mari Rantasila and Mika Rättö, the film blends everyday consumer space with philosophical and comic undercurrents.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, should the classy lady in question love playing hostess, the gift of top-tier Le Creuset cookware will feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity — unwrapped just in time for New Year’s Eve entertaining.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Indiana has a long history of marching bands entertaining crowds — not just at halftime, but to stadiums full of fans.
    Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Humorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorous. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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