farce

noun

ˈfärs How to pronounce farce (audio)
Definition of farcenext
1
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something the recall of a duly elected official for a frivolous reason is not democracy in action but a farce

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comedy
humorous entertainment the rubber-faced, loose-jointed comedian is a master of knockabout farce

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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 farce Small Time Crooks is an old-fashioned farce with likable characters and a jocular pace. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 Mayday goes on too long and veers into nonsensical directions, with one episode depicting the pair breaking into a Soviet official’s home that descends into bedroom farce. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 The reality of the crime, as Berlinger came to see it, is morbid farce. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026 Not comedy, not tragedy, more like farce, but farce with consequences. — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for farce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for farce
  1. parody
  2. comedy
  3. joke
  4. satire
  5. caricature
  6. humor
  7. sham
Noun
  • There’s no winking at the audience, no sense of camp or parody, just a lot of appealing interactions, plus some wholly superfluous tertiary plots added to expand the story to series length.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The punch-worthy parody of Altman’s characterization ramps up once he’s motivated to push back against — or trample over — the safety guardrails that Ilya prizes above all else, but so does the depth of his world-breaking cynicism.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • Okay, so Holmes and Evans are definitively not classic-comedy fans.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Japanese creator Issei, whose dialogue-free comedy has drawn audiences worldwide, has upward of 75 million YouTube subscribers.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of comedy
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 author behind the singular Elizabeth Zott returns with ‘Peck & Peck,’ a sharp, charming satire on the pretensions and perils of literary gatekeepers.
    — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Previous Disney Germany shows nclude Call my Agent Berlin, Jörg Winger’s Sam – A Saxon and The Interpreter of Silence, while upcoming is Austrian satire Vienna Game, thriller Nele Neuhaus Monster and Swiss production Under the Ice.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of satire
Noun
  • Conversations around racial caricature have evolved; what was edgy feels painfully passé.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • As is the case with most election cycles, the claims and counterclaims about the ballot measures being voted on in California this time around are largely based on caricatures of the measures themselves.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of caricature
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
  • These sheets and shams are made from Oexo-Tex Certified Organic microfiber material that’s light but surprisingly resilient.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Plus, the set comes with two shams to complete your sanctuary.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of sham

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faraway
farce
farces
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on farce

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about farce

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