slapstick 1 of 2

noun

ˈslap-ˌstik How to pronounce slapstick (audio)
Definition of slapsticknext
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

slapstick

2 of 2

adjective

as in zany

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 slapstick
Noun
The writing, by Estelle Hoy and Justine Gelfman, was sassy and sharp, and the narrative exuded a whimsical lewdness that cut against the production’s overall slapstick sensibility. — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The slapstick feature follows an underdog women’s soccer squad that incorporates gravity-defying martial arts maneuvers to compete for a championship title. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
For every moment of slapstick body comedy, there is an equally devastating scene of heartbreak. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 Performers were often white people who donned blackface to mock Black people through song, dance and slapstick comedy. — A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for slapstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapstick
  1. comedy
  2. clowning
  3. zany
  4. humor
  5. buffoonery
  6. clownish
  7. satire
  8. joking
Noun
  • Screwball comedies, dark horror flicks and so much more await in this weekend’s edition of your friendly neighborhood streaming guide.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The comedian and actor spoke candidly about his health scare in a 2024 Netflix comedy special, What Had Happened Was.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of comedy
Noun
  • The clowning might be a little too effortful.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of clowning
Adjective
  • Curry went on to a successful, varied career, immediately seeking a departure from the zany role with which he’d become identified.
    — Lisa de los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Big Brother has certainly had a zany cast of characters over the years, but the characters that really matter are the casts themselves.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Definition of zany
Noun
  • Of the recent tide of Gen-Z offerings, this is the best of the bunch, with its mix of absurdist humor and heartfelt sentiment.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • By using humor to upend expectations about how women should behave.
    — Stephanie Vander Wel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of humor
Noun
  • Still, there's a remarkable level of buffoonery in his analysis.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of buffoonery
Adjective
  • In each of those projects, Johnson created a role for himself, typically a clownish dreamer.
    — Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Martin showed that even a clownish gentleman with a pure heart could woo someone like Tisha Campbell’s Gina.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
Definition of clownish
Noun
  • In 2025 Turner showed his eclectic tastes, appearing in the romantic drama Eternity, the war on terrorism satire Atropia, and the low-budget art-house mystery Rose of Nevada.
    — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Because object narrators tend to be things that circulate across layers of society, the it-narrative offered a ready platform for social satire.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of satire
Noun
  • Back in December 1968, Dolan wrote a joking column about the earlier Lake Worth monster, from way back in 1947.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
Definition of joking

Browse Nearby Words

slaps down
slapstick
slapsticks
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Cite this Entry

“Slapstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapstick. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on slapstick

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slapstick

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