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

Bringing some necessary comic relief is the fourth character, a hearty American woman, Cheryl-Ann, played with funny, galumphing exuberance by Donna Lynne Champlin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

Paige’s Mariah is airhead-ish comic relief and fabulous at it.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

Some of them—say, Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino’s 2012 motorcycle crash with a female employee–even get milked for comic relief.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

“Depending on the sensitivity and openness of the viewer, it can sometimes be grotesque, or it can be funny,” he adds about a disturbing dinner scene laced with comic relief.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2025

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

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman