HUMOROUS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'humorous' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of humorous are facetious , jocose , jocular , and witty . While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity. // humorous anecdotes

Q: In what contexts can 'facetious' take the place of 'humorous'?

While the synonyms facetious and humorous are close in meaning, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor. // facetious comments

Q: How are the words 'jocose' and 'facetious' related as synonyms of 'humorous'?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness. // jocose proposals

Q: When might 'jocular' be a better fit than 'humorous'?

The synonyms jocular and humorous are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking. // a jocular fellow

Q: When is 'witty' a more appropriate choice than 'humorous'?

Although the words witty and humorous have much in common, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind. // a witty remark

humorous

adjective

ˈhyüm-rəs

Definition of humorous

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter the humorous moments in an otherwise somber affair "most humorous costume" went to the girl dressed as Little Bo Peep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in witty

given to or marked by mature intelligent humor the movie's a humorous look at love and marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word humorous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of humorous are facetious, jocose, jocular, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can facetious take the place of humorous?

While the synonyms facetious and humorous are close in meaning, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

How are the words jocose and facetious related as synonyms of humorous?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.

jocose proposals

When might jocular be a better fit than humorous?

The synonyms jocular and humorous are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When is witty a more appropriate choice than humorous?

Although the words witty and humorous have much in common, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

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 humorous The show featured the late Chief Judge Frank Caprio, who was known for his compassionate and humorous approach in the courtroom. — Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 16 July 2026 Post-Love Island USA, Terry and Tshnieder have actually been thriving, leaning into their messy onscreen breakup by collaborating on a humorous photoshoot that featured Terry throwing coffee in his face. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 Andrews relayed the humorous anecdote in a 2022 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 14 July 2026 Eichmeier, the emerging media professor, said Kennedy's humorous videos are an entry point to his politics. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for humorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorous

Adjective

Gu-cheon is arrogant, conspicuously misplaced in the palace hierarchy, and in some sneaky ways, dryly funny, in stark contrast to co-star Roh Yoon Seo’s more determined, earnest portrayal of court lady Saeng Gang.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
That ethos bled into the script read, which saw the crew assembled take swings with the material and inject a bit more comedy into the already funny original film.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

The series continues its winning blend of high-octane action choreography and comedic friction between elite wealth and police bureaucracy.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The actor used his newfound clout to make 2006’s Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, a movie based on his comedic two-man rock outfit with Kyle Gass.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

The wonky physics can't be too wonky, because janky controls can go from amusing to annoying pretty quickly.

— Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
There’s also plenty of family time captured, including an amusing bye week trip to Manhattan — complete with a subway trip — to watch two of Emily’s brothers run the New York Marathon.

— John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

For the right family, a Samoyed can be an affectionate, comical and deeply engaging companion.

— Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Indeed, Grozeva and Valchanov’s sly ability to shift tones from ripely comical to appalling is one of their defining features as filmmakers, along with a penchant for weird and wacky side characters.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Definition of comical

Adjective

There were plenty of clever nods to gaming tropes and terrific comic performances by the cast.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
Justin Halpern, the comic mind behind ‘S— My Dad Says,’ ‘Harley Quinn’ and ‘Abbott Elementary,’ turns to fiction writing with ‘Get Lost,’ a baseball novel about talent, failure and family.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of comic

Adjective

Among the highlights is a double-height living room with a fireplace, a seated bar, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors spilling out to an expansive deck sporting a covered entertaining area, plus a pool and spa.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 July 2026
This year has seen trends in soft yards and party patios, along with outdoor entertaining trends that incorporate seamless indoor-outdoor spaces.

— Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of entertaining

Cite this Entry

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“Humorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorous. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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