facetious

adjective

fə-ˈsē-shəs How to pronounce facetious (audio)
Definition of facetiousnext
1
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor the essay is a facetious commentary on the absurdity of war as a solution for international disputes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred a facetious and tasteless remark about people in famine-stricken countries being spared the problem of overeating

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word facetious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of facetious are humorous, jocose, jocular, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," 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 is humorous a more appropriate choice than facetious?

The words humorous and facetious can be used in similar contexts, but 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?

Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.

jocose proposals

When can jocular be used instead of facetious?

The synonyms jocular and facetious are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When could witty be used to replace facetious?

While the synonyms witty and facetious are close in meaning, 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 facetious His posture is authoritative without being imposing, his voice warm without being facetious. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 Powell was, of course, being facetious, as the low-quality videos featured the actor as a teen running and jumping in the street and lip-syncing to the song while wearing a yacht captain’s hat. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025 To be facetious, how many of those people who committed mass murder in the fifth largest city in America went to death row? — Dave Zirin, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025 His Ukraine rock show is as facetious as Bono’s visits to Zelenskyy, those grip-and-grin photo ops done in the middle of what the media tells us is a war. — Armond White, National Review, 17 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for facetious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facetious
  1. witty
  2. cute
  3. humorous
  4. flippant
  5. clever
  6. playful
Adjective
  • Williams captivated the world with his unpredictable, witty humor and joyful personality in television and movies until taking his own life in 2014 at age 63.
    — PJ Green August 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen tells the story of Colette (Caruso), a witty young dreamer in 20th-century Paris, who finds her power through writing.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of witty
Adjective
  • Get the perfect lowkey look by pairing it with sneakers and a sun hat, then swap out your shoes for cute sandals and a cardigan in the evening.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Their cute, elderly golden retriever, Cassie, is used for such baldly emotionally manipulative ends.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • But the shop’s best humorous gesture is in the restroom, open to customers, who certainly want to grant a wish.
    — Sarah Moreno August 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
  • From humorous and whimsical to elegant and calming, the choice is yours.
    — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of humorous
Adjective
  • Not to be flippant, but a part of Black life that is a treasure now are Tubi movies.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Diet culture doesn’t care about your health The flippant comments about this parasite belie the dominant belief that weight loss is inherently about pursuing health.
    — Oona Hanson, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of flippant
Adjective
  • The screenplay by Samy Burch (Oscar-nominated for May December) features one clever gag after another, such as Road Runner, making a surprise appearance in the courtroom, delivering his testimony via beeps.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than requiring you to completely detach the blades or assemble the rotor head using screws or tools in the field, the R1 uses a clever flexible four-blade geometry.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Styled with a suede coat, relaxed jeans, and Tabi flats, this look proves the playful accessory isn’t just for summer.
    — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Uniting these jokes is a streak of playful irreverence, a facility for tempering challenging ideas with American cultural references, and a reluctance to provide more explanation than necessary.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of playful

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Cite this Entry

“Facetious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facetious. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of facetious for Spanish Speakers

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