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humor

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
His commentary, interweaving humor, exaggeration and extreme claims, is often protected by the cloak of opinion and hyperbole. Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 The quirky humor characteristic to details of the game such as night falling every 20 minutes and Steve’s collection of unisex turquoise blouses left behind in a storage unit with a vintage Atari also spawn laughs. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
This is a season of TV full of adventure, lightsaber fights, and space dogfights, but also a season that brings back a childlike sense of wonder and humor to a franchise that had become a bit too somber. Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2025 This year’s breakout sounds were about sensuality and also humor. Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for humor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humor
Noun
  • Lorre, a veteran comedy creator, executive producer and writer, will speak as part of the Summit Series at the 46th edition of Banff from June 8 to 11, 2025.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The comedy special Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life will premiere Saturday, April 26 at 10 pm on HBO (and stream on Max).
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Their booth was a stunning celebration of Italian spirit, exuding elegance, creativity and a deep connection to the brand’s Roman heritage.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • As Donatella Versace prepares to step into her new role as Global Ambassador, there is hope that the Prada Group will honor and preserve the brand’s familial legacy, keeping the spirit of the Versace family alive at its core.
    Mecca Pryor, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • TiVo and DVRs helped even more, but you were still limited by the scheduling whims of networks and hard-drive space.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Will there be repercussions for organizations that defy Trump’s whims?
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The irony is that the film’s screenwriter, Sam Stefanak, came from the world of comedy.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The ultimate irony, of course, is that Tennessee actually took the NCAA to court to give Iamaleava the right to receive that first NIL deal.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The story works less as a Hollywood satire than as a survival thriller.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Scottish actor Capaldi, the twelfth Doctor in the Doctor Who universe (2013–2017), won several awards, including a British Academy Television Award, for his performance as Malcolm Tucker in the beloved satire The Thick of It (2005–2012).
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Recently, the mood in higher ed has shifted from introspective to panicked.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • And when Angela asks about how Brit lost her license—likely looking for clarity, not conflict—the mood shifts fast.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Vogue’s Favorite Freckle Pens In This Story But freckle pens aren’t just about whimsy or channeling your inner Marilyn Monroe—these clever tools have a practical side, too.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The brass hardware gives it a hint of an edge to balance out the rustic wood, while the scalloped details on the doors adds some whimsy to the mix.
    Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In any event, a square between the sun and your celestial ruler, Mars, on April 20, creates tension between your desire to indulge and have fun versus the reality of your financial responsibilities.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The pet-friendly hotel indulges guests with a rooftop terrace, a library bar, and accommodations that range from cozy rooms to three-bedroom suites.
    Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Humor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humor. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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