gallows humor
noun
: humor that makes fun of a life-threatening, disastrous, or terrifying situation
Examples of gallows humor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The term took on a gallows humor without the humor.
—
Betsy Lerner, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2024
Despondency and madness — as well as bitter gallows humor — are what await the men and women in the once-flourishing Rocksburg.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
His Hawkeye Pierce and Elliott Gould’s Trapper John M.D. are a great double act, choosing gallows humor, pranks and the occasional happy-hour interlude as a way of celebrating life amidst a landscape of death.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2024
Whether taking in the borderline-comic killing sprees of Jason Voorhees or the proudly obscene rampages of Art the Clown, what midnight moviegoers applaud is a filmmaker’s willingness to go there — to push the limits of good taste and gallows humor, and to drag us with them over the top.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for gallows humor 
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Betsy Lerner, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2024
Despondency and madness — as well as bitter gallows humor — are what await the men and women in the once-flourishing Rocksburg.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
His Hawkeye Pierce and Elliott Gould’s Trapper John M.D. are a great double act, choosing gallows humor, pranks and the occasional happy-hour interlude as a way of celebrating life amidst a landscape of death.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2024
Whether taking in the borderline-comic killing sprees of Jason Voorhees or the proudly obscene rampages of Art the Clown, what midnight moviegoers applaud is a filmmaker’s willingness to go there — to push the limits of good taste and gallows humor, and to drag us with them over the top.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for gallows humor
Dictionary Entries Near gallows humor
Cite this Entry
“Gallows humor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallows%20humor. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
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