comic relief

noun

1. an amusing scene, incident, or speech introduced into serious or tragic elements, as in a play, in order to provide temporary relief from tension, or to intensify the dramatic action.
2. relief from tension caused by the introduction or occurrence of a comic element, as by an amusing human foible.

Word History and Origins

Origin of comic relief¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

To many Americans, the kerfuffle provided comic relief during a time when most things weren’t funny.

From Washington Post

Sorensen decided the best way to cast the legal developments into sharp comic relief was to render a bit of role reversal.

From Washington Post

Full of fluffy banter and comic relief, it’s a great place to start if you’re looking for a crash course on video games.

From Ozy

Ozick simultaneously builds suspense and provides comic relief by having the absent-minded Petrie repeatedly begin to spill the beans, then suddenly meander away to another topic.

From Washington Post

It’s perfect for long car rides or anytime you need some comic relief in these strange times.

From Ozy

And, every election, we have our quasi-comic-relief candidates, your Al Haigs and Gary Bauers and Bill Richardsons.

From The Daily Beast

But rather than scare people out of their wits, they served as a moment of much-needed comic relief for many.

From The Daily Beast

Yang was intelligent, ambitious, competitive, and often the source of much-needed comic relief.

From The Daily Beast

I saw him as part of the comic relief of the show—and they kind of needed it in the beginning, before Saul Goodman appeared.

From The Daily Beast

The show had moved to MTV in 1996, where his co-host, wise-cracking Adam Corolla, played the comic relief.

From The Daily Beast

The horror and suspense had been so great that when it broke with comic relief the house was really hysterical.

From Project Gutenberg

The promoters of the meeting owe Lefebvre a debt of gratitude, for he provided just the necessary comic relief.'

From Project Gutenberg

It was well said of him that he "gave to the sad and solemn White House the only comic relief it knew."

From Project Gutenberg

The part of Martha is extended, in order that his red livery may have its full "comic relief."

From Project Gutenberg

The feelings of the audience having been sufficiently harrowed, the comic relief was turned on.

From Project Gutenberg