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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 The cast is unmatched and the pace jocular, but its greatest trick is managing to maintain an element of uncertainty and suspense. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024 Pitt’s chuckles throughout the often jocular interview hinted that perhaps Clooney’s tough words should be taken with a grain of salt. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2024 At this point, a jocular Midwestern dad who advised a gay-straight alliance while coaching the high school football team is basically their worst nightmare. Samantha Allen, Them, 7 Aug. 2024 Theroux is the perfect guide for this journey, which might have collapsed under its own weight with a less jocular presenter at the helm. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for jocular 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocular
Adjective
  • The film takes viewers through her journey, filled with humorous and heartfelt moments, from open mic nights at comedy clubs to glamorous charity events, all set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City.
    Veronica Villafañe, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The Acid Comedy of Thomas Schütte: In a MoMA retrospective filled with humorous angst, the German sculptor offers a prime 2025 resolution: Don’t run from failure.
    Laurel Graeber, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Our gift to you: have yourself a merry little moment with giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The American musical before 1927 had been light stuff—part operetta, part revue—a merry playground for sparklers like George M. Cohan and Cole Porter.
    Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Sweeney’s cast — there are excellent turns from Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale, Speak No Evil) and Abbott Elementary’s Chris Perfetti — deploy their witty retorts, bleak sentiments and existential worries at a bracing and confident clip.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
  • His posts often include witty comments on current events, playful interactions with his followers, and humorous takes on his own experiences.
    Eric Fuller, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The same jolly collection also returns to the Top Streaming Albums chart for another year.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Winter break is a jolly time of the year for many children.
    Holly Garcia, Parents, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Soderbergh—doing his own cinematography, as often, under the pseudonym Peter Andrews—crafts a clever style to develop the identification of the camera’s gaze with that of the haunting spirit.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
  • So, when the planet's insides are on the outside, spectroscopy offers a clever way to see within terrestrial worlds.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • More traditional entertainment was also on offer including a festive market, a song and dance number featuring Santa and an immersive pop-up ride to his workshop.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • But rather than update what was there, Irvine saw an opportunity to add a greater contrast with the more festive waltz in the prior room as well as to embellish the Mansion’s tale.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But Lynch, who died last week, at seventy-eight, made films in which every cheerful surface seemed to obscure an eerie reality.
    Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Videos of their vigorous, cheerful efforts soon went viral, drew international coverage and were a forceful counterpoint to Trump’s xenophobic insults.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 14 Dec. 2024
  • In addition to the daily forecast, the jovial morning show institution has shown audiences the importance of health and wellness.
    Rachel Murphy, Health, 8 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near jocular

Cite this Entry

“Jocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jocular. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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