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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of slapstick
James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
What follows is a delightful mix of slapstick comedy (a bathtub scene that ranks among the best physical comedy of the decade), whimsical set pieces, and a genuinely touching story about belonging.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
Cartuna launched its distribution arm last year with a focus on Blu-ray discs, among them the period slapstick comedy Hundreds of Beavers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Noun
The whole this is very slapstick and irreverent, and the story is advanced almost exclusively by wacky deus ex machinas.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
What follows is a delightful mix of slapstick comedy (a bathtub scene that ranks among the best physical comedy of the decade), whimsical set pieces, and a genuinely touching story about belonging.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
This new film is a very black comedy that is also a heist story with some bloody violence, along with a bit of knockabout slapstick and a theme of family bonds.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
Cartuna launched its distribution arm last year with a focus on Blu-ray discs, among them the period slapstick comedy Hundreds of Beavers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapstick
Noun
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The third annual Shine Away event, this year taking over the Universal Studios lot, also featured conversations with Mariska Hargitay, Chrissy Teigen, Malin Åkerman, Lilly Singh, Karen Pittman, Monica Lewinsky and Brittany Snow, along with an opening comedy set from Yvonne Orji.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Oct. 2025
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If Feel Good was comedy with a powerful dramatic arc, Wayward turns that formula on its head and is largely a drama with some lighter moments along the way.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After guest-starring on an episode of Happy Days in 1978, Williams' zany character proved so popular that ABC cast him as the lead a year later on the spinoff Mork & Mindy, opposite Pam Dawber as his human love interest Mindy McConnell.—
Nate Jones,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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The movie is possibly loud and colorful and zany and kooky and busy enough to mask the desperation in a script that shows little imagination for the psychological hurdles of people from three different generations struggling to understand one another.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Across almost 20 novels, the British author spun fantastical tales with unsentimental wit, infusing his work with darkly morbid humor, blithe child endangerment, rotten and antagonistic adults, and a willingness to occasionally laugh at the misfortune of others.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
17 Oct. 2025
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Its blend of Korean folklore, witty humor, and irresistibly infectious pop songs has cemented it as an instant classic.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Finally, after plenty of clowning, Taylor Swift has revealed that her 12th album is on the way, titled The Life of a Showgirl.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
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This is a work in which the slapstick clowning and the tricky verbal non sequiturs should be merely the surface for roiling undercurrents of anguish, futility, despair and fear.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
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Those long familiar with Pratt’s clownish agent-of-chaos persona both onscreen and on their social feeds may find his latest role disorienting.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
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The combo together ensures that the lip doesn't look clownish.—
Sarah Hoffmann,
Allure,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Virgin Suicides, and the teen pageant satire Drop Dead Gorgeous.—
Keaton Bell,
Vogue,
11 Oct. 2025
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Although the satire is pitch black, this film is a lot more overtly comedic than most of your films.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Jones eventually got into his joking bag, and Bleek took that opportunity to seriously set the record straight one last time.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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And their joking comments about their relationship never help the matter.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Judging by the amusing premiere episode, there is some potential to the motley crew of this government service.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
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The other twist is that Noelle is addicted to a podcast (performed by Adwa Alasiri) that dishes out both true crime stories and helpful makeup tips, an amusing combination of gloss and gore.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slapstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapstick. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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