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
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
This decision unfortunately led to more jokes and tongue planted firmly in cheek (akin to the slapstick reshooting of Superman II by Richard Lester for a more child-appealing and less ambitious approach than Richard Donner’s own Superman II footage before he was fired from the project).
—Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 3 May 2026
The novel is by turns slapstick and sincere in its consideration of digital devices.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Noun
Shankman keeps a steady hand on the wheel, no doubt comfortable in the knowledge that if a one-liner or slapstick bit misses the mark, there will be a bunch more to follow.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
This decision unfortunately led to more jokes and tongue planted firmly in cheek (akin to the slapstick reshooting of Superman II by Richard Lester for a more child-appealing and less ambitious approach than Richard Donner’s own Superman II footage before he was fired from the project).
—Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Adjective
Elsewhere in the episode, Rodrigo starred in a slapstick-heavy sketch about a 1980s soap opera where people keep tripping and violently falling down stairs in increasingly absurd ways.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 3 May 2026
The novel is by turns slapstick and sincere in its consideration of digital devices.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapstick
Noun
-
The first task starts sedately, with Rekha Shankar, Siobhan, and Lily trying to find the Dropout-style antic comedy in a mundane laundry-day chore.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
-
In 2024, Rauch and Nayyar reunited on-screen during his season 2 guest appearance on the comedy.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The clowning might be a little too effortful.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
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
Adjective
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Some of that comes from the alpine slide ride of his movies, arguably zanier in their dramatis personae and plots twists than any David Lynch movie.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Emily Ratajkowski's interpretation of Marge Simpson from The Simpsons at Klum's 2015 Heidi Halloween was perfectly zany for the occasion.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Harrison still evokes painterly fugues of light and pungent smells, but they’re offset by a growing bleakness, and there’s less humor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Your adaptable nature turns small moments into quick bridges, while gentle humor lightens heavier topics so plans move forward together.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Still, Yoon’s joking somehow lightens the mood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The president has long bristled at the otherwise customary joking at his expense by celebrity comedians.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Joining Proctor in court was Meatball Morrissey’s clownish prosecutor, Adam Lally.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Inspired by the artifice of playthings, Jacobs turned to 1960s paper dolls last February, and this season opened the door to the dollhouse once again with clownish, clomping platform heels that forced his models to walk with a Barbie-like gait.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
All of it might have been intended as satire, but sometimes the sardonic is just stupid.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
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These jags of overwhelming knowing fuel Larraquy’s satire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 17 Jun. 2026.
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