black humor

noun

1. a form of humor that regards human suffering as absurd rather than pitiable, or that considers human existence as ironic and pointless but somehow comic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of black humor¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

There are characters that could be cut and scenes that could be shortened, but I continue to make retrospective discoveries about the psychology and morality of a contentious family drama that, in its tragicomic extremity and bold black humor, bears comparison with Tracy Letts’ “August: Osage County.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ryder’s iconic character Lydia Deetz — who defined quirky-goth Gen X cool with her jagged bangs and black humor — is now a mother with a job.

From Los Angeles Times

The tension never lets up throughout “Longlegs,” though it is peppered with a dry, black humor that somehow just makes everything more disturbing.

From Los Angeles Times

With black humor they speak, metaphorically, of ruining their livers by working through the night.

From Los Angeles Times

Flecked with black humor and finely detailed pathos, the show culminates in a heart-wrenching gunfight followed by a well-earned twist ending.

From Los Angeles Times