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dark comedy

American  

noun

  1. a play, movie, etc., having elements of comedy and tragedy, often involving gloomy or morbid satire.

  2. a comedy based on problems of a personal or social nature.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Like Doherty, Aimee Lou Wood is up for both best actress and best supporting actress - for BBC Three comedy-drama Film Club and HBO/Sky dark comedy The White Lotus respectively.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

A dark comedy is only as successful as its bleakest jokes.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

Until one recalls 2020’s winner “Parasite,” with its similarly bold mix of styles including dark comedy, thriller and horror.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

Anderson received the statuette from Sean Baker, who won last year with his dark comedy "Anora," which went on to be an Oscar winner.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

Her diary entry the next day makes her teamwork with Dina—whom Zhenya adored—sound like a kind of dark comedy duo.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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