humorless

adjective

ˈhyü-mər-ləs How to pronounce humorless (audio)
Definition of humorlessnext
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner humorless people who can't see the lighter side of life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 humorless Credit perhaps goes to Belew’s fellowship with Zappa, or Fripp’s growing resistance to being pegged as some humorless tyrant. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2026 Funny novels are invariably more serious than humorless ones. — Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 In Prime 4, Samus is humorless, simply nodding along while others try their best at second-rate comedy. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025 The woman’s gray hair, her sunglasses, her sharp nose, her soft chin, and her utterly humorless expression contrasted with the almost cartoonish proportion of her political expression. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humorless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorless
  1. solemn
  2. serious
  3. stern
  4. unsmiling
  5. earnest
Adjective
  • This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Zack Wheeler pitched a gem against Tampa Bay on Sunday and untangled a few thousand knots inside the stomachs of Phillies fans, and even from those inside a mostly solemn clubhouse.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs) treat all foot conditions ranging from toenails, bunions, fractures, and plantar fasciitis to serious diabetic foot complications that can lead to limb amputation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • What began as a hobby to help explain complex redistricting cases more effectively has grown into a serious media operation.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Preliminary information indicates that the explosion occurred near the vessel’s stern deck, resulting in limited damage, a police spokesperson said in a statement.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As the Pacific Princess’ Captain Stubing, Gavin MacLeod played the stern yet beloved authority figure better than many might’ve expected, given how closely he’d become associated with comedy by that point.
    — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • Trump’s twenty-five-minute address, delivered from the East Room, had the self-congratulatory air of a State of the Union speech without the accompanying props—cheering lawmakers, unsmiling Justices, celebrity guests.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • In the clip, Josie has a serious, unsmiling expression, which created a humorous contrast with the celebratory scene around her.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Definition of unsmiling
Adjective
  • A certain ingenuousness, an earnest impatience with the world’s many injustices, is a hallmark of Barbara Kingsolver’s novels.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Such requests typically don’t start in earnest until closer to the end of the fourth quarter, which is why most TV networks don’t like to declare sell-out until just days before the Super Bowl starts.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of earnest

Browse Nearby Words

humorists
humorless
humorlessness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Humorless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorless. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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