facetiously

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'facetiously' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is said, in a joking manner. Example: He facetiously suggested that she had secretly been a ninja in her past life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On January 22nd, he published a provocative opinion piece facetiously titled "I am a racist!" for Sme, a Slovak daily.

The Economist

Or, to put it less facetiously, why does politics, the business of running the country, draw on so much shallower a recruitment pool than most other important enterprises in Britain?

The Economist

An innovative social networking campaign and the backing of prominent artists and intellectuals were not enough to make up the difference.Never one to exit quietly, Mr Klaus praised Mr Zeman's victory by facetiously drawing on the motto of Václav Havel, his former rival with whom Mr Schwarzenberg worked closely.

The Economist

Locals chuckled when a foreigner warned facetiously that if they blended in any better, other vehicles might crash into them.North Korea is the most highly militarised society on earth.

The Economist

The billboard facetiously asked if Mr. Fischer's Communist ties were not deeper than he portrayed: "He was in the [Communist Party], but not part of the People's Militia!?!"Some analysts have speculated that Mr Fischer launched his campaign too early and thus ran out of steam by the time voters took to the polls.

The Economist

Wamidh Nadhmi, a politics professor at Baghdad University, asks, somewhat facetiously, whether America really needs 4,000 diplomats to issue visas.Most Iraqis still want American help.

The Economist

Presumably facetiously, the leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) party, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, says Miss Bhutto was herself the terrorist, with the aim of drumming up sympathy.

The Economist

If the census throws up a low number, everyone who doubts Bangladesh's bean-counting bureaucrats and their political masters will be asking where those millions of "missing" Bangladeshis have gone.That question should be taken facetiously: the difference in question reflects different assumptions about fertility and mortality, not actual migration.

The Economist

He has the good grace to chortle amiably when I facetiously insist on making that my first question to him.

Independent

The comparison is not meant facetiously, even if Big Brother may attain to the Becketian against its baser impulses; it's compulsion to artificially create friction where perhaps sheer boredom and over-familiarity would have done the trick.

Independent

A few hiccups, including facetiously calling Prince Phillip a 'b******' for not giving me my Duke of Edinburgh award, had put the show in a volatile position.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "facetiously" to indicate that something is said in a way that is not meant to be taken seriously, often as a joke or a form of sarcasm. It adds a layer of irony or playful mockery to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "facetiously" when the intention is to express sincere amusement or delight. It implies a degree of insincerity, so use it only when that's the intended effect.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "facetiously" modifies verbs or entire sentences, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a statement is made. Ludwig AI confirms that it conveys the action is done in a joking or sarcastic way, not meant to be taken seriously.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "facetiously" is a grammatically correct adverb used to indicate that something is said or done in a joking or sarcastic manner, not meant to be taken seriously. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively signals insincerity or irony. It is very common in News & Media and Encyclopedias and the word adds a layer of complexity to communication, inviting the audience to interpret the underlying meaning. When used carefully, "facetiously" can enhance writing by adding humor and nuance, but it's important to avoid confusing it with genuine enthusiasm or using it inappropriately in formal contexts where it may be misconstrued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jokingly

Indicates a light-hearted, teasing manner, lacking the edge of seriousness implied by "facetiously".

sarcastically

Emphasizes irony and mockery, often with a critical intent, which is a stronger connotation than "facetiously".

ironically

Highlights a contrast between what is said and what is actually meant, with a more subtle and detached tone compared to "facetiously".

humorously

Focuses on the amusing aspect of a statement, without necessarily implying insincerity as "facetiously" does.

flippantly

Suggests a lack of seriousness or respect, often in an inappropriate context, carrying a more negative connotation than "facetiously".

wittily

Implies clever and amusing expression, highlighting intelligence and charm that may not be present in a "facetious" remark.

teasingly

Conveys a playful and gentle form of mockery, lighter in tone than "facetiously" which can sometimes imply a more pointed or sardonic humor.

lightheartedly

Stresses the cheerful and carefree nature of a comment, lacking the potential for subtle cynicism that "facetiously" might suggest.

drolly

Indicates an amusingly odd or whimsical quality, which is a more peculiar and less common form of humor than that implied by "facetiously".

with a touch of humor

Expresses a general indication of humor and doesn't have the connotation of sarcasm like "facetiously".

FAQs

How can I use "facetiously" in a sentence?

Use "facetiously" to describe an action or statement made in a joking or sarcastic way, not meant to be taken seriously. For example, "He "facetiously" suggested we paint the office pink."

What are some alternatives to saying "facetiously"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "jokingly", "sarcastically", or "ironically" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "facetiously" in formal writing?

Yes, "facetiously" can be used in formal writing, but be mindful of your audience and ensure the tone aligns with the overall context. Using it inappropriately can undermine your message.

What is the difference between "facetiously" and "humorously"?

"Facetiously" implies a lack of seriousness and is often used sarcastically, while "humorously" simply indicates something is funny or amusing. The former suggests insincerity, while the latter does not.