humor 1 of 2

noun

ˈhyü-mər How to pronounce humor (audio)
Definition of humornext
1
as in humorousness
the amusing quality or element in something we failed to see any humor in his mean and juvenile jokes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comedy
humorous entertainment a screenwriter best known for lowbrow humor

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3
as in spirit
a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion the prospect of going out to dinner put her in a good humor all day

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4
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action she was seized by a sudden humor to contact an old college friend that she hadn't seen in ages

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humor

2 of 2

verb

as in to cater (to)
to give in to (a desire) humored her grandfather by listening to his war stories for the hundredth time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun humor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of humor are irony, repartee, sarcasm, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

When could irony be used to replace humor?

While in some cases nearly identical to humor, irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

When might repartee be a better fit than humor?

The words repartee and humor can be used in similar contexts, but repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

Where would sarcasm be a reasonable alternative to humor?

Although the words sarcasm and humor have much in common, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

In what contexts can satire take the place of humor?

The synonyms satire and humor are sometimes interchangeable, but satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

When can wit be used instead of humor?

The meanings of wit and humor largely overlap; however, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of humor
Noun
Taylor’s shows normally will have a vibe, and this has several — emotion and humor and drama and absurdity and danger, all those different things. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 July 2026 Throughout the show's four-season run, the couple became known for their steady relationship, balancing family struggles with humor, heart and unwavering support for one another. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Verb
Just as the story mines humor from the collision of old-fashioned ways with a modern frankness, Paul’s score combines the appeal of jaunty golden-age sounds with a freshness that feels present day. — Naveen Kumar, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 This gulf has long been a source of misunderstandings, superiority complexes and also humor. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humor
  1. irony
  2. comedy
  3. spirit
  4. whim
  5. indulge
  6. satire
  7. mood
  8. whimsy
Noun
  • The irony here is thick, because while there were captive flamingos, escaped captive flamingos, and the occasional storm refugee along with sightings of coastal flybys, there were no longer any wild breeding birds.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 6 July 2026
  • The irony there is whether the Heat instead might have to make room for Bronny James.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Definition of irony
Noun
  • The apocalyptic horror comedy Zombieland (2009) was a box office hit.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2026
  • The ceremony was officiated by friend of the couple Adam Sandler, whom Travis Kelce starred alongside in the 2025 comedy Happy Gilmore 2.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
Definition of comedy
Noun
  • If American music in 1976 represented a collective, inquisitive, inventive American spirit of discovery, the semiquincentennial in the age of social media has become more about the individual identity.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The spirit of a '90s summer vacation is alive and well in tropics-print caftans like this fresh-off-the-runway one from SHAN's SS27 Collection.
    — Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • Grants could be canceled due to political whims, and new layers of bureaucracy would inhibit basic scientific activities like publishing papers and attending conferences.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
  • And, of course, for all his whims on the basketball court to come true.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of whim
Verb
  • At the same time, centrists swung against a left that had indulged its purist tendencies.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • Throughout the evening, Angela eagerly seeks Hawk and Piña’s approval, while Joe refuses to indulge them.
    — Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of indulge
Noun
  • Beneath its gleeful barrage of kink, karaoke, and absurdist comedy lies a sharp satire of exclusion, identity, and liberation within contemporary Queer culture.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
  • After the White House initially defended the post as satire, the video in question was deleted after a backlash including from some Republicans.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 2 July 2026
Definition of satire
Noun
  • The throngs of teenagers doing back flips into the Canal Saint-Martin and playing soccer in the street set the mood for the week.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep, dizziness, breathlessness, brain fog, low mood, brittle nails, hair fall, feeling unusually cold, and changes in skin quality all signal low ferritin levels.
    — Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 30 June 2026
Definition of mood
Noun
  • The country’s tragic 21st-century travails provide much of the fodder for the couple’s drama in director Cyril Aris’ moving film, including whether to stay or emigrate, with touches of magical realism and whimsy providing levity.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 6 July 2026
  • Add a juicy hint of whimsy to your next nail look with one of these berry nail designs.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of whimsy

Phrases Containing humor

Browse Nearby Words

humongous
humor
humored
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Cite this Entry

“Humor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on humor

Nglish: Translation of humor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about humor

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