1
2
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor the children at the library were charmed by the jocular storyteller

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word jocular distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of jocular are facetious, humorous, jocose, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When can facetious be used instead of jocular?

Although the words facetious and jocular have much in common, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

When might humorous be a better fit than jocular?

While the synonyms humorous and jocular are close in meaning, humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

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

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

jocose proposals

Where would witty be a reasonable alternative to jocular?

While in some cases nearly identical to jocular, 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 jocular The interviews were jocular, an approach that seemed tactless, given the film’s subject matter. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025 But series creator and director Joe Barton paired back many of the most horrific details of the true story, instead imbuing Black Doves with a surprisingly warm, witty, and jocular tone despite the material. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024 Bini, whose jocular banter is only upended by his ability to carefully listen and practically intervene, helps people struggling with fertility as well as with their gender transition. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025 The interviews were jocular, an approach that seemed tactless, given the film’s subject matter. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jocular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocular
Adjective
  • Early implementations have experienced technical glitches, such as those occasionally seen in MLB's 3D broadcasts, which sometimes led to humorous but unintended visual effects.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The off-beat ads and humorous posters have only stoked fan conversation about what, exactly, this project is and what on earth is going on with the asterisk in the title.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Women deserve their own places at the top, and if that means more women are founding companies, the more, the merrier.
    Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Personal differences, school commitments, and career opportunities threaten to permanently break up the merry band of role-players.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Hiromi and Feraud coyly dialogued in the same movement: Feraud strummed way up the neck of his electric bass, and Hiromi, ever witty, mimicked him by flicking the strings of her Yamaha concert grand.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Sherald’s work is imbued with witty literary references (Jane Austen, Octavia E. Butler, Emily Dickinson, Zora Neale Hurston, and Toni Morrison) and clever art historical homage.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The same jolly collection also returns to the Top Streaming Albums chart for another year.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The lingo, the faces, the concerns – all seemed, if not entirely authentic, then at least clever enough to create some backstage buzz.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Just make sure your clever solution doesn’t create additional fire hazards i.e. don’t hide cords under a rug.
    Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Original price: $29.99 This festive pastel tower of eggs is a standout centerpiece for spring.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Each rabbit holds a festive springtime flower in a different pose that can be placed together or individually around the home.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, their cheerful blooms and tall stems ensure these flowers will be a striking addition to any landscape.
    Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Minnie is always cheerful, resourceful, and kind, often helping her friends with her intelligence and creativity.
    Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most striking elements of the campaign was the inclusion of comedy legend Dave Chappelle as the narrator, sharing seriousness followed by jovial excitement for achievement.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Johnson, though, said some of his conversations with Trump about the topic were jovial.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jocular. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on jocular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!