comic relief
noun
: a relief from the emotional tension especially of a drama that is provided by the interposition of a comic episode or element
Examples of comic relief in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Unfortunately for him, points weren’t given for comic relief.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
After the splat, Emerson’s unnerving, unflappable gaze switches the atmosphere from comic relief to white-knuckle suspense.
—Dan Reilly, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2024
In the film, Glinda at times brings comic relief amid more heavy-hitting themes such as discrimination, representation and acceptance.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
With absolutely no disrespect to the legend that is (was) Debra Jo Rupp’s comic relief, the show immediately clicks into a higher gear once Rio quite literally claws her way back into the show.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for comic relief 
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Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
After the splat, Emerson’s unnerving, unflappable gaze switches the atmosphere from comic relief to white-knuckle suspense.
—Dan Reilly, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2024
In the film, Glinda at times brings comic relief amid more heavy-hitting themes such as discrimination, representation and acceptance.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
With absolutely no disrespect to the legend that is (was) Debra Jo Rupp’s comic relief, the show immediately clicks into a higher gear once Rio quite literally claws her way back into the show.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for comic relief
Dictionary Entries Near comic relief
Cite this Entry
“Comic relief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comic%20relief. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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