HUMOR Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

humor 1 of 2

noun

ˈhyü-mər

Definition of humor

as in humorousness

the amusing quality or element in something we failed to see any humor in his mean and juvenile jokes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in comedy

humorous entertainment a screenwriter best known for lowbrow humor

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as in spirit

a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion the prospect of going out to dinner put her in a good humor all day

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as in whim

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action she was seized by a sudden humor to contact an old college friend that she hadn't seen in ages

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humor

2 of 2

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

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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

Her public persona conveyed humor, faith, generosity, self-acceptance, and, for many people, an absence of judgment. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Her work is grounded in long-term observation, intimacy and a sensitivity to humor, gesture, atmosphere and the emotional weight of everyday life. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

Even House Speaker Mike Johnson, who otherwise has humored Trump at every turn, has expressed revulsion at the idea of a pardon. — Robin Abcarian, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025 In a live interview, Jimmy Kimmel asked Aniston to humor him in a huge way. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for humor

Noun

The one bit of irony is that, despite the rugged features, the SoundLink Max actually sounds better indoors, as the bass thins out if there are no walls for the sound to bounce off of.

— BestReviews, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Standing at two hours and 30 minutes, along with a 15-minute intermission, the narrative plants you in the middle of a world of ironies.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of irony

Noun

Screwball comedies, dark horror flicks and so much more await in this weekend’s edition of your friendly neighborhood streaming guide.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The comedian and actor spoke candidly about his health scare in a 2024 Netflix comedy special, What Had Happened Was.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of comedy

Noun

In her latest book, Stay Buried, siblings new to a remote Vermont town discover that the locals live in fear of a vengeful spirit.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
But the legacy of the modernist academic-cultural complex blinds us to the mimetic spirit of this new technical logic.

— Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of spirit

Noun

Telling the world every thought and creative whim built him a following.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
But an outdoor garden, no matter how beautiful and lovingly designed or how innovatively used in the menu, is susceptible to the whims of Miami’s humid, rainy, extraordinarily lengthy summers.

— Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of whim

Noun

Jim McBride’s David Holzman’s Diary (1967), a metafictional satire of cineéma veériteé, is called by some the first modern mockumentary.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
In 1995, Steinem made a guest appearance on the talk-show satire series starring Garry Shandling and Jeffrey Tambor.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of satire

Noun

The furniture and decor for your little one leans into that fleeting window of imagination, bringing color, whimsy, and playfulness to make their room feel unmistakably theirs.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 31 Aug. 2026
Let the bag take center stage by pairing it with understated separates, or lean into the whimsy with equally feminine details.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of whimsy

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humongous

humor

humored

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“Humor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humor. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of humor

noun

verb

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