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
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Recent Examples of slapstick
Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
One Battle After Another is an absurd epic for our absurd times, blending tense action with galvanizing politics, unexpected slapstick, and heartfelt family drama.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 7 Mar. 2026
Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Deutch nails every joke in this slapstick comedy that keeps the out-of-pocket zingers coming nonstop, complimented perfectly by her crew of Yellow Brick Road (Hollywood Boulevard) nomads.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Noun
In one episode, the crew of the Red Dwarf visits an Earth on which time moves backwards, culminating in a slapstick reverse Wild West-style bar fight that sees teeth reappear in mouths, windows reassemble, and chairs unbreak over heads.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
One Battle After Another is an absurd epic for our absurd times, blending tense action with galvanizing politics, unexpected slapstick, and heartfelt family drama.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Weisz aces the slapstick comedy of being hot and bothered in an inappropriate setting.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Deutch nails every joke in this slapstick comedy that keeps the out-of-pocket zingers coming nonstop, complimented perfectly by her crew of Yellow Brick Road (Hollywood Boulevard) nomads.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapstick
Noun
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And the two stars, who at first seem to be playing in different registers with O’Hara launching her punchlines towards the balcony and Byrne aiming for the second row, harmonize to deliver a master class in physical comedy.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
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The Onion, now under the ownership of tech exec Jeff Lawson, has been rebooting itself in a bid to return to its subversive comedy roots.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As the race unfolds in real time, there’s clowning, collisions, sabotage, surprises, comedy, chaos and more.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
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Comedy and clowning are ways Zaalan has connected with their homeland after the Syrian revolution.—
Candace Hansen,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Neville is there for pitch meetings, where the current cast sits on the floor of Michaels’ office and throws out their zaniest ideas.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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All of the characters are beautifully zany, which keeps this series from imploding.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What’s consistent is the honesty — the humor, the brutality and the willingness to go to places not many people dare to go.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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Their videos — which show the everyday challenges of life in a wheelchair, often featuring Lawrence's dark humor — quickly took off, their comments and DMs flooded with messages from other wheelchair users or recovering addicts who found meaning in their story.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There was none of the usual laughing and joking.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Black characters that appeared on-screen closely resembled the clownish stereotypes popularized by the minstrels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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The clownish dance is a Fortnite video game gesture, and involves making an L shape with fingers, pressing it to one’s forehead, then high kicking from side to side.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In 1983, Mark Russell, whose satire was a PBS staple, offered relatively tame jabs at Reagan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
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The project brings together satire and documentary to move across memory, ideology and political contradiction.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The show, with its interest in corporate buffoonery, doesn’t quite manage to hand-wave away the queasy implications.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Receivers have cratered seasons with me-over-we buffoonery.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapstick. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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