droll 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdrōl How to pronounce droll (audio)
Definition of drollnext
as in humorous
causing or intended to cause laughter made a droll comment about the commencement speaker's penchant for clichés

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

droll

2 of 2

noun

as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor the drolls of late-night TV had a field day with that senator's sexual shenanigans

Synonyms & Similar 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 droll
Adjective
In its absence, this category is open for business, with Rhys, so good at shifting between his show’s droll humor and genuine terror, an obvious choice. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 There’s a dry, droll seam of generation-gap humor in George’s continued, failed attempts to insert himself as a father figure into the life of someone who never asked for one, and Zeke’s blankly bemused resistance to his efforts. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 June 2026 Zelensky then issued a magnanimous, droll decree, formally granting Putin permission to hold the parade. — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026 Zendaya’s Rue works as a drug mule for the forever droll Laurie (the great Martha Kelly). — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for droll
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droll
  1. humorous
  2. comedian
  3. comedic
  4. funny
  5. amusing
  6. comical
  7. comic
  8. entertaining
Adjective
  • Unlike ghosts, vampires have physical form and can interact directly with humans; like ghosts, vampires live forever, allowing for a humorous juxtaposition of characters from many points in time in one unhappy household.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Different views on the topic Hilton defends the ad as a humorous, provocative way to reach Californians who are dissatisfied with the state’s direction but might not ordinarily consider voting Republican.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of humorous
Noun
  • The comedian’s become a regular on TikTok and Instagram scrolls for her character work — particularly impressions of her Italian father and German mother, the latter always in a black turtleneck, hair pulled back, glasses inexplicably atop her head.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For years, posting clips online has been integral to comedians’ process of building an audience and selling tickets to their live shows.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of comedian
Adjective
  • Drexler’s comedic sensibility was shaped, early on, by the vaudeville acts that performed in movie theatres in between screenings.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Their ascent on YouTube included a 2025 comedic boxing match between Andrijasevic and Al-Emad, titled Hamzah vs Martin and held in Toronto over three rounds.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of comedic
Adjective
  • Underneath the celebrity and the tabloid headlines is someone who’s vulnerable, funny and desperately trying to hold her life together.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The book’s humor is sharp and merciless, akin to that of a standup comedy show, and yet the things described are far from funny.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • The amusing part is that if Mahomes spoke out in support of the bill, Le Batard would almost certainly demand his silence.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Without recounting every amusing or harrowing detail, a good deal of interactive psychological grilling ensued.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of amusing
Adjective
  • This monster is a twisted version of the ideal parent, a collection of traditional maternal impulses pushed to almost comical extremes.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Beneath the serious exchange of ideas there was romance as well—at times tragic and at other times comical.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of comical
Adjective
  • Technology fans don’t despair, there’s still the 8-inch touchscreen, but this too features more of Belgian comic artist Jean-Luc Delvaux’s work.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This isn’t an epic work but a compilation of comic sketches tied together with heavy thematic string.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of comic
Adjective
  • Always one for a picture-perfect moment of her family, Joan loved to put the kids in matching outfits while entertaining guests at home.
    — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
  • This one is designed around a citrus tree, but is used for alfresco entertaining rather than farming.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of entertaining

Browse Nearby Words

drizzly
droll
drolleries
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Cite this Entry

“Droll.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droll. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about droll

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