1
as in comedy
humorous entertainment
an actor whose roles range from slapstick to serious drama
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in clowning
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
a lowbrow comedy that relies heavily on slapstick for its laughs
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in zany
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slapstick
Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
One Battle After Another is an absurd epic for our absurd times, blending tense action with galvanizing politics, unexpected slapstick, and heartfelt family drama.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 7 Mar. 2026
Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Deutch nails every joke in this slapstick comedy that keeps the out-of-pocket zingers coming nonstop, complimented perfectly by her crew of Yellow Brick Road (Hollywood Boulevard) nomads.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Noun
In one episode, the crew of the Red Dwarf visits an Earth on which time moves backwards, culminating in a slapstick reverse Wild West-style bar fight that sees teeth reappear in mouths, windows reassemble, and chairs unbreak over heads.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
One Battle After Another is an absurd epic for our absurd times, blending tense action with galvanizing politics, unexpected slapstick, and heartfelt family drama.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Weisz aces the slapstick comedy of being hot and bothered in an inappropriate setting.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Deutch nails every joke in this slapstick comedy that keeps the out-of-pocket zingers coming nonstop, complimented perfectly by her crew of Yellow Brick Road (Hollywood Boulevard) nomads.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapstick
Noun
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Poorna Jagannathan, whose turn as the formidable crime-boss auntie Lucky has been a fan favorite, will be the lone supporting comedy actress submission.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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Hulu has set June 8 for the premiere of Alice and Steve, its upcoming comedy series starring Jemaine Clement and Nicola Walker, from Baby Reindeer producer Clerkenwell Films.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As the race unfolds in real time, there’s clowning, collisions, sabotage, surprises, comedy, chaos and more.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
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Comedy and clowning are ways Zaalan has connected with their homeland after the Syrian revolution.—
Candace Hansen,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Neville is there for pitch meetings, where the current cast sits on the floor of Michaels’ office and throws out their zaniest ideas.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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All of the characters are beautifully zany, which keeps this series from imploding.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The humor only grows more erratic and unpleasant from there.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
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But then, the 2016 national party conventions gave Colbert the opportunity to push hard on political humor.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Here opposites — classy and brassy — are distractions, with odd-couple joking substituting for something more substantial.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
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There was none of the usual laughing and joking.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Black characters that appeared on-screen closely resembled the clownish stereotypes popularized by the minstrels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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The clownish dance is a Fortnite video game gesture, and involves making an L shape with fingers, pressing it to one’s forehead, then high kicking from side to side.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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How, then, would a satire keep up, especially given the glacial pace of publishing?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
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While discussing the delicate tone of the show and its balance of being a satire on the Hollywood movie business and a love letter to chasing your dream, Cretton said the creative team focused on character to find their way.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The show, with its interest in corporate buffoonery, doesn’t quite manage to hand-wave away the queasy implications.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Receivers have cratered seasons with me-over-we buffoonery.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapstick. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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