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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 jocular Could all this jocular, misogynistic vulgarity influence anybody? Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025 For years, Marvel films worked this jocular-fantastic angle, in pointed contrast to the grimdark expectorations of their DC counterparts, who were drowning in a morass of runaway budgets and brooding slo-mo. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025 His jocular reaction was priceless. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 Delle finally trilled, in an unreadably jocular voice. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jocular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocular
Adjective
  • Donkey provided comic relief, pathos and friendship to Shrek, with the film praised for its humorous twist on fairy-tale tropes.
    Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
  • This humorous and heartfelt novel traces a decade in the couple’s life together — and Coralie’s own journey toward self-discovery.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, they are pressured into becoming guests of the castle's owner, a transvestite mad scientist called Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), and his merry bad of misfits.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Robin Hood and his merry men were yeomen of the most courageous sort.
    Charles Hammer, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ashlie Atkinson plays Mamie Fish, the wittiest member of late 19th-century high society on The Gilded Age, and also a real-life person from American history.
    Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Britt Lower, Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken, and John Turturro co-star in this incredibly smart and witty sci-fi drama.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Crosby released a number of tunes throughout his career that were made perfectly for the jolliest time of the year, and his wins are still coming his way, even decades after his passing.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The most memorable of those came against Sheffield United, with two blockers at the near post (marked in white) and two runners from deep (black) allowing Pascal Struijk (yellow) to score from Joe Rothwell’s clever corner.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The result is a hollow movie—but its very hollowness gives rise to a diabolical twist that’s more than merely clever.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There may be a few empty seats around the festive table this December at Mayor Michelle Wu’s annual no-whites-need-apply Kwaanza party at the Parkman House.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The three Strato drinks, which joined the menu on July 8, followed a festive limited-time item.
    Erin Clements, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The movie’s most affecting moments are between Lynette and her brother, played with disarming cheerful innocence by Gottsagen and with alarming distress when Kenny is placed in tense situations.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Buc-ee the Beaver, the cheerful mascot in a red cap, is featured on eye-catching red and yellow billboards that beckon travelers from miles away along the interstate.
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That's how the film lures in its audience: The jovial concept gives way to the more serious topic of man's colonization of nature.
    Devan Coggan, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • In the first inning, Garcia gave Acuña a jovial finger-wag after beating his incoming throw from right field while simultaneously scoring a run.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jocular. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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