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 hijinks
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
a lowbrow comedy that relies heavily on slapstick for its laughs
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in zany
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slapstick
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
All of the characters in the film — a slapstick comedy set in an incompetent restaurant — were animals with human attributes.
—Michael Paulson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
An undertow of sadness churns beneath the slapstick, a combination that inescapably brings to mind Karen Russell, whose 2011 Swamplandia!
—Sam Worley, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
There is slapstick farce and clowning but that’s not the only thing the play holds.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Noun
With hyperpop-ish glee, Barbie veered between musical, slapstick comedy, and melodrama.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
All of the characters in the film — a slapstick comedy set in an incompetent restaurant — were animals with human attributes.
—Michael Paulson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
An undertow of sadness churns beneath the slapstick, a combination that inescapably brings to mind Karen Russell, whose 2011 Swamplandia!
—Sam Worley, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
There is slapstick farce and clowning but that’s not the only thing the play holds.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapstick
Noun
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The 31-year-old Puerto Rican superstar took the stage twice during the NBC sketch comedy series, performing a pair of tracks from his history-making album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
18 May 2025
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Elizabeth Perkins revealed on Watch What Happens Live that Robert De Niro was initially set to headline the beloved 1988 family comedy.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Chapman Freeborn, a global aircraft charter specialist and aviation support company, is offering travelers the chance to do something zany: go on a trip without knowing the destination first.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2025
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Through 150 years, the race has produced some zany antics, memorable moments and some devastating losses.—
Mike Klingaman,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2025
Noun
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There are some clever bits of humor thoughout th emovie, especially involving all the shenanigans of the French, but the Dane’s story ends on a decidedly dark note.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
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Gunn has promised a return to sincerity, but this is still unmistakably his movie so expect dashes of bizarro humor amid the spectacle and a few lovable weirdos around the edges (including Supes’ flying dog Krypto).—
Greg Braxton,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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In the mountains of Papua New Guinea, researchers encountered a clownish creature perched on a log in a fern meadow, basking in the sun.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2025
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The suit also paints a clownish portrait of the entrepreneur, portraying him as pompous, shameless, and untrustworthy.—
Rachel Corbett,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Oscar Contenders Emerging From First Half Include 'Nouvelle Vague' and Jennifer Lawrence for 'Die My Love' Adding to that pressure, most of the guest stars showed up to the first season of the Hollywood satire to play themselves under heightened circumstances.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
21 May 2025
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Featuring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone, the film stabs at political satire but is best enjoyed for its visceral campy pleasures.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Although the result is certainly amusing, the Darth Vader creation has also been spotted making some potentially controversial comments using Jones’ voice.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
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The sketch has a great ending stinger and is very amusing throughout.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Noun
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Certainly, an irreverent portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte is warranted, but at two and a half hours of alternating brutality and buffoonery, this movie really tries one’s patience.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2024
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His is a sort of erudite buffoonery that consistently tap-dances between clever, self-aware, and patently stupid.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That being said, the evening was certainly entertaining, with musical performances by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoati and Paramount School of the Arts.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
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Photo : Zach Brown/Atlas Imagery A brick patio off the rear of the house is ideal for alfresco entertaining.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slapstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapstick. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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