gallows humor

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.

For local establishments, the newly offered specials are part gallows humor, part business gamble.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

“I meant it as a bit of gallows humor, but he answered by essentially saying, Actually, sort of,” Gluck, a journalist, writes in his forthcoming memoir, An Exercise in Uncertainty.

From Slate • May 2, 2025

In his new book, “I Want a Better Catastrophe,” Mr. Boyd applies the five stages of grief to climate change, adding a sixth one: gallows humor.

From New York Times • Feb. 9, 2024

In the end, all these people laughing at Trump are engaging in gallows humor.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2024

I noted as another example of gallows humor that Billie had put out black guest towels and a washcloth for me.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin