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
Lopez gives a layered and naturalistic performance as Mariana and Perez provides the show’s comic relief as Henry.
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Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024
The role turns on a dime between larger-than-life villain to kindly father figure, from smooth-talking charmer to impotent comic relief, and Slater tears into each facet of the character with bloodthirsty relish.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for comic relief 
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024
The role turns on a dime between larger-than-life villain to kindly father figure, from smooth-talking charmer to impotent comic relief, and Slater tears into each facet of the character with bloodthirsty relish.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for comic relief
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comic relief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Comic relief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comic%20relief. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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