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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 Indeed, comments immediately arose among fans — some jocular, some serious — that Starkey might be in line to take over in the Foos for Freese. Chris Willman, Variety, 18 May 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for jocular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocular
Adjective
  • Barkov is the opposite of Tkachuk in personality, never the one with the humorous postgame quote or engaging TV soundbite.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The duo, who are known for their original and often humorous dance routines, will be repped by UTA across digital, theater and scripted (co-represented with Curtis Brown).
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Discovering its contents, day in and day out throughout the course of the merriest month of the year, will give you a taste of Glasshouse Fragrances’ bestselling formulas that please even the pickiest of noses.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Great American Family is making sure that everyone's television screens remain merry and bright this holiday season!
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • As more viewers saw the video on TikTok, thousands of people shared their own witty responses and comments.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Alice Babette Toklas, the ideal reader who became Stein’s wife, made a name for herself by writing a witty cookbook that included a friend’s recipe for hashish fudge.
    Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There will be games, food, contests, and jolly times for all.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Lily Mathé, one of the orchestra’s best violinists, vividly remembered being made to play jolly tunes in the SS officers’ mess at Auschwitz every evening while the guards ate their dinner.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The combination of clear instructions, clever engineering and high-energy videos makes CrunchLabs stand out among subscription boxes, offering a yearlong experience that feels fresh with each delivery.
    Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Luckily, clever Frances must have understood her caper was destined for failure.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Equal parts creepy and campy, Ultra Skelly is a wickedly fun way to raise your Halloween game from festive to frightful.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Jews then partake in a festive after-fast meal, turning the evening into a yom tov (festival).
    Krys'tal Griffin, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Born in Tangier to Spanish parents, María Ángeles lives out her widowhood with cheerful self-sufficiency.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Its cheerful, harmonious colors evoke the pleasure and leisure associated with reading from childhood onward.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The call appeared to be jovial in nature, despite the pair's differences on one of the key discussion points at this week's General Assembly - Israel and Palestine.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
  • While others, such as greyhounds, engage in highly competitive sport, wiener dog racing is meant to be a jovial activity strictly for entertainment.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jocular. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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