WIT Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'wit' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wit are humor , irony , repartee , sarcasm , and satire . While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous. // a playful wit

Q: When would 'humor' be a good substitute for 'wit'?

The words humor and wit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 'wit'?

The meanings of irony and wit largely overlap; however, 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: In what contexts can 'repartee' take the place of 'wit'?

In some situations, the words repartee and wit are roughly equivalent. However, 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 'wit'?

The synonyms sarcasm and wit are sometimes interchangeable, but sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound. // given to heartless sarcasm

Q: When can 'satire' be used instead of 'wit'?

The words satire and wit can be used in similar contexts, 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

wit

noun

ˈwit

Definition of wit next

as in comedian

a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor the pundits and political wits will get a lot of mileage out of the senator's latest gaffe

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Relevance

as in wisdom

the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters he doesn't even have the wit to know when to come in out of the rain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mind

usually wits plural the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities scared out of her wits

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as in intelligence

exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters lacked the wit to see that the war was unwinnable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun wit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wit are humor, irony, repartee, sarcasm, and satire. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

When would humor be a good substitute for wit?

The words humor and wit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 wit?

The meanings of irony and wit largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can repartee take the place of wit?

In some situations, the words repartee and wit are roughly equivalent. However, repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

Where would sarcasm be a reasonable alternative to wit?

The synonyms sarcasm and wit are sometimes interchangeable, but sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

When can satire be used instead of wit?

The words satire and wit can be used in similar contexts, 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

Examples of wit in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Hopefully the role will be infused with her sensibility and her natural humor and strength and wit. —

Shania Russell, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024 The reflections are relatable, the production is palpable, and his wit sticks with you. —

Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024 Since then, the Liberty has had Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Fat Joe, and A Boogie wit Da Hoodie attend its games on multiple occasions, cheering them on from the sidelines. —

Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2024 More recently, a pastor named Greg Lock gave a sermon mocking Flamy Grant, who responded with wit and grace in a viral TikTok. —

Spin Contributor, SPIN, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wit

Noun

But rather than try to sell it and likely spend years developing it, the comedian and his collaborators chose to act immediately by going the independent route, working off a small budget from Dark Sky Films, an outfit mostly known for working in horror.

Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2024
The show, in which top comedians try to make each other laugh, by whatever means necessary, is getting a U.K. version next year, produced by Banijay.

Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2024