comic relief

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of comic relief

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Finn’s hyperactive sense of smell and bottomless appetite provide lighthearted comic relief, while the descriptions of Chase running are some of the book’s loveliest passages.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

“What seemed like little more than comic relief held enormous ramifications,” wrote Mattson in his 2009 book.

From Slate • Dec. 30, 2024

Rafiki recounts the origin story of Kiara’s grandfather while, at a cadence that ticks like a nervous executive’s pacemaker, Pumbaa and Timon interrupt for atonal comic relief: “Less childhood trauma, more meerkat!”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2024

In 1995, Lawrence leveled up to become an action movie star with world-class comic relief skills in “Bad Boys,” starring opposite Will Smith.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2024

The thing is, we never saw him as a person, just as an object of comic relief.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman