humorless

adjective

ˈhyü-mər-ləs How to pronounce humorless (audio)
Definition of humorlessnext
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner humorless people who can't see the lighter side of life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 humorless Credit perhaps goes to Belew’s fellowship with Zappa, or Fripp’s growing resistance to being pegged as some humorless tyrant. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2026 Funny novels are invariably more serious than humorless ones. — Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 In Prime 4, Samus is humorless, simply nodding along while others try their best at second-rate comedy. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025 The woman’s gray hair, her sunglasses, her sharp nose, her soft chin, and her utterly humorless expression contrasted with the almost cartoonish proportion of her political expression. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humorless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorless
  1. solemn
  2. serious
  3. stern
  4. unsmiling
  5. earnest
Adjective
  • The spirituality throughout is imbued with a solemn reverence more Catholic than Baptist.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • The subject is of particular interest at CBS News, where Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has repeatedly encouraged the network’s journalists to dedicate serious resources to finding a potential link.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Illinois Republicans are angry that the congressional map is deliberately drawn to their serious disadvantage, with some districts almost comically gerrymandered.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Below is Jordan — bearded, stern, and wearing a leather jacket — as Det.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Preliminary information indicates that the explosion occurred near the vessel’s stern deck, resulting in limited damage, a police spokesperson said in a statement.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • Trump’s twenty-five-minute address, delivered from the East Room, had the self-congratulatory air of a State of the Union speech without the accompanying props—cheering lawmakers, unsmiling Justices, celebrity guests.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • In the clip, Josie has a serious, unsmiling expression, which created a humorous contrast with the celebratory scene around her.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Definition of unsmiling
Adjective
  • Of the young adults that comprise Ellora’s defense force, earnest airbender Jae (Major Curda) and himbo waterbender Daemin (Darren Barnet) make for a particularly amusing pairing.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • A certain ingenuousness, an earnest impatience with the world’s many injustices, is a hallmark of Barbara Kingsolver’s novels.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of earnest

Browse Nearby Words

humorists
humorless
humorlessness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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