1
as in comedy
humorous entertainment
an actor whose roles range from slapstick to serious drama
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 slapstick
Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 7 Mar. 2026
The beloved slapstick comedy is 85 minutes of pure entertainment, full of increasingly chaotic adventures and shockingly crass jokes that still produce guffaws decades later.
—Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Deutch nails every joke in this slapstick comedy that keeps the out-of-pocket zingers coming nonstop, complimented perfectly by her crew of Yellow Brick Road (Hollywood Boulevard) nomads.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Noun
One Battle After Another is an absurd epic for our absurd times, blending tense action with galvanizing politics, unexpected slapstick, and heartfelt family drama.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 7 Mar. 2026
The beloved slapstick comedy is 85 minutes of pure entertainment, full of increasingly chaotic adventures and shockingly crass jokes that still produce guffaws decades later.
—Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Weisz aces the slapstick comedy of being hot and bothered in an inappropriate setting.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Deutch nails every joke in this slapstick comedy that keeps the out-of-pocket zingers coming nonstop, complimented perfectly by her crew of Yellow Brick Road (Hollywood Boulevard) nomads.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapstick
Noun
-
Widely considered one of the best comedy clubs in the country, if not the best.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Graham’s consulting role is perhaps more surprising as he is not known first and foremost for his comedy chops, although he is widely regarded as one of the most prolific creatives in British TV.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Comedy and clowning are ways Zaalan has connected with their homeland after the Syrian revolution.—
Candace Hansen,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
As in past years, the festival will feature independent artists and companies presenting new and experimental theater, dance, clowning, music and more.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Now, four years after its end, Jackson has reunited with McGee for the zany murder-mystery How to Get to Heaven From Belfast.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The steady, unwavering empathy of her gaze encompasses a universe of tiny, interlaced incidents in which the zany entwines the plaintive, or the tragic the comic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her essays are written with humor and insight.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There is hope in words that can reframe our perspectives, entertain and offer humor, or commiserate in our rage or grief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was none of the usual laughing and joking.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Black characters that appeared on-screen closely resembled the clownish stereotypes popularized by the minstrels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The clownish dance is a Fortnite video game gesture, and involves making an L shape with fingers, pressing it to one’s forehead, then high kicking from side to side.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gingrich’s March 15, 2026, post linked to an article that labeled itself as satire.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The film, which debuted on Netflix April 1, deploys a deliberately eccentric tone, mixing slapstick, satire and spy-thriller tropes with Das’ irreverent comedic sensibility.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
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 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
