Synonyms of jocular

jocular

adjective

ˈjä-kyə-lər 

1

as in humorous

given to or marked by mature intelligent humor

made the jocular observation that the best way to make a small fortune in the wine business is to start off with a large fortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humorous
• witty
• clever
• funny
• facetious
• playful
• joking
• amusing
• smart
• comical
• cerebral
• mischievous
• comic
• jovial
• ridiculous
• hysterical
• entertaining
• highbrow
• frivolous
• intellectual
• jocose
• teasing
• farcical
• riotous
• merry
• mirthful
• ludicrous
• uproarious
• jolly
• laughing
• antic
• jesting
• droll
• rollicking
• flippant
• laughable
• bantering
• waggish
• joshing
• risible
• whimsical
• prankish
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• jocund
• highbrowed
• sunny
• sparkling
• diverting
• flip
• smart-aleck
• pert
• smart-alecky
• scintillating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stupid
• lowbrow
• witless
• brainless
• lame
• hackneyed
• corny
• serious
• humorless
• solemn
• somber
• earnest
• unfunny
• hackney
• sober
• grave
• serious-minded
• unamusing
• plaintive
• doleful
• tearful
• dolorous
• lachrymose
• sorry
• woeful
• uncomic

2

as in merry

indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor

the children at the library were charmed by the jocular storyteller

Synonyms & Similar Words

• merry
• jolly
• festive
• cheerful
• jovial
• witty
• jocose
• mirthful
• laughing
• funny
• lively
• humorous
• gleeful
• playful
• sunny
• blithe
• amused
• joyful
• amusing
• jocund
• happy
• smiling
• blithesome
• joking
• bright
• gay
• spirited
• lighthearted
• delighted
• upbeat
• cheery
• flippant
• carefree
• exuberant
• buoyant
• joyous
• animated
• jaunty
• facetious
• sprightly
• ecstatic
• vivacious
• hilarious
• chipper
• jubilant
• perky
• frisky
• giggling
• exultant
• peppy
• blissful
• rapturous
• comical
• easygoing
• optimistic
• euphoric
• chuckling
• frolicsome
• sportive
• bouncing
• comic
• cavalier
• radiant
• insouciant
• jesting
• high
• farcical
• riotous
• zippy
• enraptured
• uproarious
• hopeful
• unconcerned
• joshing
• sanguine
• beaming
• antic
• lightsome
• rosy
• blessed
• gladsome
• happy-go-lucky
• exhilarated
• sprightful
• elated
• thrilled
• tickled
• overjoyed
• sidesplitting
• devil-may-care
• ravished
• entranced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• melancholy
• sad
• blue
• sorrowful
• unhappy
• aggrieved
• anguished
• abject
• glum
• depressed
• dispirited
• downcast
• forlorn
• disconsolate
• despondent
• dejected
• crying
• crestfallen
• wailing
• weeping
• saddened
• moody
• lugubrious
• disheartened
• heartbroken
• disgruntled
• mournful
• brokenhearted
• plaintive
• doleful
• discontented
• sobbing
• somber
• dolorous
• low-spirited
• sorry
• joyless
• black
• dark
• gloomy
• lachrymose
• sullen
• gray
• morose
• heartsick
• woeful
• heavyhearted
• bleak
• cheerless
• depressing
• downhearted
• saturnine
• dismal
• dreary
• moaning
• desolate
• miserable
• groaning
• comfortless
• woebegone
• dull
• wretched
• sluggish
• listless
• lethargic
• torpid

Synonym Chooser

How is the word jocular distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of jocular are facetious, humorous, jocose, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When can facetious be used instead of jocular?

Although the words facetious and jocular have much in common, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

When might humorous be a better fit than jocular?

While the synonyms humorous and jocular are close in meaning, humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

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

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

jocose proposals

Where would witty be a reasonable alternative to jocular?

While in some cases nearly identical to jocular, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of jocular

After Wembanyama’s next attempt, all six coaches played a jocular game of hot potato amongst themselves before delivering the ball back to him at the foul line. — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Mar. 2026

These documents further illuminated the extent of the friendship between Bannon and Epstein, whose private exchanges are jocular, even affectionate at times. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026

Entire families, with kids and dogs, took their holiday portraits — not with a jocular Santa, but with a snarling Krampus, standing in front of an Alpine forest backdrop. — Deena Prichep, NPR, 8 Dec. 2025

Even was talkative and jocular, telling stories about blowout parties in Marrakech. — Joel Khalili, Wired News, 17 Nov. 2025