as in humorous
causing or intended to cause laughter
made a droll comment about the commencement speaker's penchant for clichés
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor
the drolls of late-night TV had a field day with that senator's sexual shenanigans
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Recent Examples of droll
Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
In his typical droll fashion, Kelley penned his own third-person biographical sketch to introduce what became a longtime column.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 25 Dec. 2025
As Thornton is otherwise largely silent onstage, what’s going on inside the actor’s head while Reeves and Winter share droll, existentialist banter?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
Vince Gilligan moved to Apple and returned to his X-Files roots for the sci-fi horror dramatic comedy Pluribus, which used its ultra-mysterious and yet ultra-familiar genre trappings for a droll meditation on the eternal clash between collective joy and individual grouchiness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for droll
Adjective
Wilde delivers a pure-camp performance here, trying to one-up Miranda Priestly with her imperious workplace attitude, cover-girl eyeliner and droll line deliveries.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
In his typical droll fashion, Kelley penned his own third-person biographical sketch to introduce what became a longtime column.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 25 Dec. 2025
As Thornton is otherwise largely silent onstage, what’s going on inside the actor’s head while Reeves and Winter share droll, existentialist banter?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
Vince Gilligan moved to Apple and returned to his X-Files roots for the sci-fi horror dramatic comedy Pluribus, which used its ultra-mysterious and yet ultra-familiar genre trappings for a droll meditation on the eternal clash between collective joy and individual grouchiness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for droll
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droll
Adjective
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In the early 1990s, Stuart Smalley's humorous affirmations on SNL highlighted the power of self-coaching, a concept supported by psychologist Ethan Kross, who suggests that addressing oneself in the second person can alleviate anxiety and improve problem-solving by fostering a broader perspective.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The unexpected may have a humorous twist.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Alex Duong, a comedian, writer and actor based in Los Angeles, has died at the age of 42.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Bushnell has become Hartford’s big room for top-rank stand-up comedians.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pickles frequently appear in comedic settings, from cartoon characters struggling with oversized jars to absurd internet memes celebrating the eccentricity of pickle enthusiasts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
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In this darkly comedic action thriller from director Ben Wheatley (High-Rise, FFF 2016) and the writer of John Wick, Bob Odenkirk stars as a new sheriff whose simple assignment unravels after a botched robbery proves that everything in the quiet town of Normal, Minnesota, is anything but!—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Why the Vaping Squirrels Trend Is Dangerous The viral clips might look funny, but the reality is far less cute.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
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The explanation is kind of funny, but also very much a seasonal sign of renewal on the barrier islands.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The surviving Cheetos, while amusing to viewers, stand as an odd visual amid an otherwise devastating event.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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To some on Capitol Hill, the freewheeling is more frustrating than amusing.—
Steven Sloan,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Kaplan has commanding, comical moments throughout the play but shines in one of the play’s most memorable.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Getting a 50-pound dog up the ladder is comical, though.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Jemima Kirke was the one friend in high school who had seen me as more than a comic sidekick.—
Lena Dunham,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Celik seems attuned to such questions as a valid (if not necessarily revelatory) core for a play to circle around, but Cramer’s writing often feels caught between an exploration of comic diffidence and simply an expression of it.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Bruins have their signature comeback victory of this entertaining 2025-26 season.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Trump’s speech was at times entertaining, rambling, repetitive, and combative.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Droll.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droll. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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