Examples:
* His facetious remark about the meeting being "productive" was met with groans from the team. (Implies he was joking, but it wasn't really funny or appropriate)
* The comedian's facetious humor, while often offensive, was surprisingly popular with the audience. (Suggests humor that is intended to be funny but is also potentially insensitive)
* She tried to lighten the mood with a facetious comment about the weather, but her boss didn't seem amused. (Indicates an attempt at humor that may have been inappropriate for the situation)
* The politician's facetious answer about the corruption scandal was met with skepticism from the reporters. (Implies a lighthearted response to a serious question, likely intended to deflect attention)
* His facetious tone made it difficult to tell if he was serious about his proposal. (Highlights the ambiguity of the speaker's intentions due to their playful delivery)
Key Points:
* Facetious implies a playful or humorous intention, but often with an underlying sense of insincerity or inappropriateness.
* The word is often used to describe remarks that are meant to be funny but are not necessarily well-received.
* It can also imply sarcasm, irony, or a lack of seriousness.
Avoid using "facetious" to describe something that is genuinely funny or lighthearted. Instead, use words like "humorous," "witty," or "amusing."