JOCULAR Synonyms: 209 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'jocular' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of jocular are facetious , humorous , jocose , and witty . While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking. // a jocular fellow

Q: When can 'facetious' be used instead of 'jocular'?

Although the words facetious and jocular have much in common, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor. // facetious comments

Q: When might 'humorous' be a better fit than 'jocular'?

While the synonyms humorous and jocular are close in meaning, humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity. // humorous anecdotes

Q: How are the words 'jocose' and 'facetious' related as synonyms of 'jocular'?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness. // jocose proposals

Q: Where would 'witty' be a reasonable alternative to 'jocular'?

While in some cases nearly identical to jocular , witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind. // a witty remark

jocular

adjective

ˈjä-kyə-lər

Definition of jocular

as in humorous

given to or marked by mature intelligent humor made the jocular observation that the best way to make a small fortune in the wine business is to start off with a large fortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in merry

indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor the children at the library were charmed by the jocular storyteller

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word jocular distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of jocular are facetious, humorous, jocose, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When can facetious be used instead of jocular?

Although the words facetious and jocular have much in common, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

When might humorous be a better fit than jocular?

While the synonyms humorous and jocular are close in meaning, humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

How are the words jocose and facetious related as synonyms of jocular?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.

jocose proposals

Where would witty be a reasonable alternative to jocular?

While in some cases nearly identical to jocular, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

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 jocular These documents further illuminated the extent of the friendship between Bannon and Epstein, whose private exchanges are jocular, even affectionate at times. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026 Entire families, with kids and dogs, took their holiday portraits — not with a jocular Santa, but with a snarling Krampus, standing in front of an Alpine forest backdrop. — Deena Prichep, NPR, 8 Dec. 2025 Even was talkative and jocular, telling stories about blowout parties in Marrakech. — Joel Khalili, Wired News, 17 Nov. 2025 That’s because of her bright and jocular storytelling. — Mj Franklin, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jocular

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocular

Adjective

Their escapade leads not only to the creation of their island paradise, Moonrise Kingdom, but a humorous wild goose chase between Suzy’s parents, Sam’s Scout troop, and the island police chief.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
When asked whether his dog has a favorite Bush song, Rossdale laughs before providing a humorous answer.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of humorous

Adjective

Rounding up his merry men of Sherwood Forest, and his Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland), Robin goes about resisting John’s rule and securing Richard’s throne.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
Fortune’s intrepid tech editor, Alexei Oreskovic, and his merry band of reporters will carry on in my absence.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of merry

Adjective

From song to screen With her southern twang, witty charm and stunning looks, Parton was a natural in front of the camera.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
MacDonald and editor Phil Hignett have a keen, witty sense of how the online realm crashes offline living, seamlessly integrating deadly-accurate TikTok parodies into the film’s breezy narrative flow.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of witty

Adjective

Both his suggestion and the jolly appreciation seem out of tune with the situation ‘far from home’, which may be a military manoeuvre involving mock battles and bayonet practice, or a preparation for actual combat.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
This plush captures its jolly mood with a big smile and a grinning sun across its belly (complete with sunglasses).

— Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of jolly

Adjective

The renovation took two years, and the sisters are still updating and tweaking the villa with new color schemes and clever offerings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Of course, that always creates opportunities for movies to break through and shine, thanks to clever marketing.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of clever

Adjective

Christie’s estimates the large, rare tempera and gouache painting of a festive, folkloric Russian scene, which Kandinsky made in Paris, will fetch over $30 million.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Join the always festive crowd for strong, salty margaritas and classics like enchiladas and chiles rellenos, and mariachi on Friday and Saturday nights and all day Sunday.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of festive

Adjective

Beyond Ningyocho station, cheap and cheerful izakaya sit next to longstanding kaiseki and sushi restaurants in heritage buildings, remnants of the era when this was Yoshicho, one of Tokyo's geisha quarters.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
The fragrance is a delicious mix of sweet, fruity, and floral, thanks to notes of citrus, agave, and jasmine, offering a bright and cheerful scent to your space.

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheerful

Adjective

At its peak, Westwood was one of the rare places where Angelenos who otherwise lived separately encountered each other in a jovial setting.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Despite losing his position as head coach and having to serve a suspension, Hoyos appeared in a jovial mood Friday morning.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of jovial

Browse Nearby Words

jocosity

jocular

jocularity

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

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Synonyms of jocular

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