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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jocular
Even was talkative and jocular, telling stories about blowout parties in Marrakech.
—
Joel Khalili, Wired News, 17 Nov. 2025
That’s because of her bright and jocular storytelling.
—Mj Franklin, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Modern American popular culture contains many jocular characters that resemble this folkloric bird, who is delightfully impervious to pain, from cartoon characters such as the Road Runner – an actual bird – to the foulmouthed, self-regenerating antihero Deadpool.
—Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2025
The film explicitly acknowledges that their sibling rivalry is very Thor and Loki, though the dynamic here is different with Wilson playing uptight preppy to Momoa’s jocular biker viking.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for jocular
Joel Khalili, Wired News, 17 Nov. 2025
That’s because of her bright and jocular storytelling.
—Mj Franklin, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Modern American popular culture contains many jocular characters that resemble this folkloric bird, who is delightfully impervious to pain, from cartoon characters such as the Road Runner – an actual bird – to the foulmouthed, self-regenerating antihero Deadpool.
—Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2025
The film explicitly acknowledges that their sibling rivalry is very Thor and Loki, though the dynamic here is different with Wilson playing uptight preppy to Momoa’s jocular biker viking.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for jocular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocular
Adjective
-
This is distinct from writing that is humorous, the stuff that will give you a wry smile at best.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The team of Bob Mortimer, Aisling Bea, and Sally Phillips sang a song that playfully mocked Rosalind, but the team of Nish Kumar and Mark Watson—whose performances had been hilariously scattershot that season—delivered a sweet, self-effacing, and humorous song that took everyone by surprise.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mau's reckless band of merry men inevitably leave a trail of bodies in their wake, leading police captain Brander Lawson (Wagner Moura) to investigate the criminal takeover of Janix.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Petrie, Doz and Morrow play multiple roles, including a gossipy Greek chorus and the band of merry fisherman (truly an astonishing array of Canadian accent work on display).—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Love is fun, witty and mentally stimulating now.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The show is an in-depth, outlandish and witty depiction of some of the world’s most deplorable — and the other folks who happen to get sucked into their manic orbits.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Vivacious Mars dances with jolly Jupiter, energizing your 6th House of Practice and your 10th House of Ambition.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Outside of being a clever marketing tactic, the controversy over the movie was also the natural result of a pre-internet time when Faces of Death was more talked about than actually seen.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The clever tuning of the suspension and the steering wheel -- that's what our engineers are incredibly skilled at.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Confetti Dot, in cheerful red or navy, is a festive favorite and a go-to gift.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Items such as a plastic tablecloth and small plates or napkins can also be added to create a festive celebration.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Each layer of this cake is studded with sweet, fresh berries and tart lemon while pureed blueberries give the frosting its bright and cheerful color.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Confetti Dot, in cheerful red or navy, is a festive favorite and a go-to gift.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
What gives a being that’s tantamount to a jovial blank slate such staying power?—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Valanciunas has long been regarded as a jovial locker-room presence throughout the NBA, known for his sense of humor.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jocular. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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