1
as in comedy
humorous entertainment
an actor whose roles range from slapstick to serious drama
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2
as in hijinks
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
a lowbrow comedy that relies heavily on slapstick for its laughs
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as in zany
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Examples of slapstick in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Suelain Moy, Parents, 14 June 2024
Maybe that’s why Spy doesn’t rely so much on the broad slapstick and crass characterizations that were becoming McCarthy’s M.O.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 May 2024
Minions doesn’t shy away from that challenge, using them as a slapstick comedy troupe who guide us through the history of villains and conquerors from the beginning of time to 1960s London.
—Megan Vick, EW.com, 3 Aug. 2024
Kruger followed each perfect dive with a slapstick plunge, squeezing his eyes shut, or wearing clown makeup, or madly pumping his legs in midair.
—David O. Stewart, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for slapstick 
Noun
What Kids Like: Kids will enjoy the physical slapstick and humor of Laurel and Hardy—and the determined way the denizens of Toyland fight off the Bogeymen.
—Suelain Moy, Parents, 14 June 2024
Maybe that’s why Spy doesn’t rely so much on the broad slapstick and crass characterizations that were becoming McCarthy’s M.O.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 May 2024
Minions doesn’t shy away from that challenge, using them as a slapstick comedy troupe who guide us through the history of villains and conquerors from the beginning of time to 1960s London.
—Megan Vick, EW.com, 3 Aug. 2024
Kruger followed each perfect dive with a slapstick plunge, squeezing his eyes shut, or wearing clown makeup, or madly pumping his legs in midair.
—David O. Stewart, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for slapstick
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slapstick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Slapstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapstick. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.
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