jocularity

noun

Definition of jocularitynext
as in playfulness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 jocularity For all his jocularity, the charges against Doyle are serious, carrying a potential sentence of six years in prison. — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 What marks a show of his is the combination of jocularity and generosity. — Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025 That sense of jeopardy will always beat The Hundred jocularity every time. — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocularity
  1. playfulness
  2. satire
  3. jokiness
  4. spoof
  5. slapstick
  6. farce
  7. burlesque
  8. parody
Noun
  • Matt Reeves’ film is also on the dour side, without the genre-mixing playfulness that enlivens its predecessor and sequel.
    — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Kukka chandelier by Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu and Georgia adds a touch of playfulness to the living room, which is located in the original 1930s Spanish-style part of the home.
    — Rachel Wallace, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of playfulness
Noun
  • Jim McBride’s David Holzman’s Diary (1967), a metafictional satire of cineéma veériteé, is called by some the first modern mockumentary.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In 1995, Steinem made a guest appearance on the talk-show satire series starring Garry Shandling and Jeffrey Tambor.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of satire
Noun
  • Despite a general jokiness and long runtime, the film was well-received by critics and audiences and now those who've held out from going to the multiplex to absorb the adventure will have a chance to catch it at home.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of jokiness
Noun
  • Don Adams led the slapstick spy spoof as the brainy but hopelessly incompetent Agent Smart, starring alongside Barbara Feldon as the ever-capable Agent 99.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The first four seasons of the James Bond spoof aired on NBC, while the final season was shown on CBS.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of spoof
Noun
  • There was an element of slapstick about Bournemouth’s second, with Justin Kluivert’s strike bouncing off the post and Lukas Hornicek’s before Scott’s follow-up cross looped agonisingly into the net off the outstretched foot of Malick Thiaw.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • With its slapstick mayhem and goofball charm, the film's oddball recruits defied the odds to become a smash at the box office.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of slapstick
Noun
  • Small Time Crooks is an old-fashioned farce with likable characters and a jocular pace.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Mayday goes on too long and veers into nonsensical directions, with one episode depicting the pair breaking into a Soviet official’s home that descends into bedroom farce.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of farce
Noun
  • The four-movement work begins in anguish but courses through a bucolic, cheerful ländler and a rather violent burlesque before resolving into a final Adagio that critics have long characterized as a quiet but solid affirmation of life.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
  • Gay 90’s A downtown Minneapolis institution since the 1970s, this burlesque and LGBTQ+ friendly nightclub hosts entertaining, cabaret-style shows by drag performers on Friday and Saturday nights.
    — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2026
Definition of burlesque
Noun
  • The show was a phenomenon that continues to inspire copycats and parodies; Hansen emerged as an icon for some, and a meme for others.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The reel — shot chin-first, uploaded at midnight — inspired countless parodies.
    — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of parody

Browse Nearby Words

jocular
jocularity
jocularly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jocularity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jocularity. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of patina

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All