DROLLERY Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

drollery

noun

ˈdrōl-rē

Definition of drollery

as in joke

something said or done to cause laughter the film's sophisticated drolleries will elicit smiles and chuckles even upon repeated viewings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in humor

the amusing quality or element in something though generally serious, the novel about a seriously dysfunctional family is not without drollery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 drollery In both films, Jarmusch strips away the ironic detachment and deadpan drollery that were part of his signature in the earlier movies that earned him a prominent spot on the American indie map. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025 He is played by Ethan Hawke, a mainstay of Linklater’s movies, in a remarkable amalgam of bitterness, exuberance, drollery, tenderness, frustration, and tremendous artistic passion. — Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025 Matthew Rankin’s latest surreal comedy, between hilarious drollery and bitter disillusionment. — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024 But his method is mostly charging into the fray, shouting battle cries or tossing out Australian drollery. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drollery

Noun

Its frothy, pastel hues and single moment of contrived levity (when one dance claims a trumpet solo for a joke about jamming her toe) is one of those quintessential examples of Balanchine’s repertoire showing its age.

— Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
And the Longhorns’ quarterback, Arch Manning, was the butt of the joke.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

The event, known for its blend of philanthropy, politics and humor, also featured comedian Jim Gaffigan, who poked fun at the influential crowd gathered in the ballroom.

— Dick Brennan, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Cora Frazier has contributed humor writing to The New Yorker since 2012.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of humor

Noun

But acknowledging a property’s cheesy elements isn’t the same as generating consistent laughs from the situation.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Among the biggest laughs of the ceremony came during Friml’s take on an awards-show in memoriam.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

Institutions are actually moving into the asset class, but with a little bit of the irony that today is exactly when direct lending thrives.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The great irony is, the current threat to the Jewish people is coming from groups and individuals who call themselves progressive.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of irony

Noun

Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of joking

Browse Nearby Words

drolleries

drollery

drollness

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Style

“Drollery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drollery. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of drollery

noun

Example Sentences

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