1
as in comedy
humorous entertainment
an actor whose roles range from slapstick to serious drama
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in clowning
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
a lowbrow comedy that relies heavily on slapstick for its laughs
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in zany
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of slapstick
Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Takahashi’s story delights in throwing more and more wrenches in the works with a growing cast of chaotic supporting characters (like the vicious Shampoo and the blowhard Tatewaki Kuno), and the anime adapts their antics as pastel-toned slapstick.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
There was an almost slapstick quality to ball after ball being heaved up, over and over, clanging against the rim or missing it altogether.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Noun
Based on Shepard’s relationship with his parents, The Rock Garden is a slapstick play that’s performed deadpan.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Takahashi’s story delights in throwing more and more wrenches in the works with a growing cast of chaotic supporting characters (like the vicious Shampoo and the blowhard Tatewaki Kuno), and the anime adapts their antics as pastel-toned slapstick.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
What is the exact opposite of slapstick comedy?
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
There was an almost slapstick quality to ball after ball being heaved up, over and over, clanging against the rim or missing it altogether.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapstick
Noun
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Sahlins and Close were friends and the improv-sketch divide was never absolute in Chicago comedy circles.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
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Chelsea Green is perhaps the most entertaining star in all of WWE, but she’s been largely booked as a comedy character on the main roster.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The clowning isn’t over just yet, though.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2026
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Art, meanwhile, occupies a lonely table in the pizzeria and tries to put on his best clowning act for the two women.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Part of what makes the World Cup special is the colorful, zany diehard fans.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
16 Jan. 2026
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No further details were unveiled but, as always, expect the most zany and dangerous stunts from the Jackass gang.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For his standup act, Bellamy blends conversational storytelling with observational humor, often drawing on his background in music and pop culture.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Written, performed, and produced by Franklin, Be True uses emotional transparency and humor to narrate the process of unpacking grief, faith, self-reckoning, and renewal.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
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Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Both McAdams and O’Brien move beyond expectations to deliver highly expressive, almost clownish performances — in the best way.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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All the forces and clownish figures of the moment, from Howard Stern to Al Sharpton, weighed in.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The second season of the Seth Rogen showbiz satire recently began filming.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
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The film is a social satire set on a long-haul flight where the entertainment systems fail, and an eclectic group of international passengers are forced to face the horror of being bored.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Death by Lightning, adapted by Mike Makowsky from Candice Millard’s 2011 nonfiction book and directed by Matt Ross, hums with the strength of these performances, particularly Shannon’s quiet composure and Macfadyen mining new depths of buffoonery.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
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Scholz-Carlson’s staging pushes against the deep misogyny of Da Ponte’s libretto by accentuating the buffoonery of the two male romantic leads.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slapstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapstick. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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