game 1 of 2

noun

ˈgām How to pronounce game (audio)
Definition of gamenext
1
as in tournament
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize decided he would indulge in a friendly basketball game with his friends before dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in strategy
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective the crook told his accomplice, "Here's the game: look surprised when the police ask about the money"

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in play
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously there's no need to get upset, all our teasing is only a game

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in profession
the activity by which one regularly makes a living stand-up comedy is his game, and he's one of a handful of people making a decent living at it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in area
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence the education game simply was no longer of interest to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

game

2 of 2

adjective

as in ready
having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action) are you game for going out tonight?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun game differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of game are fun, jest, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When could fun be used to replace game?

While in some cases nearly identical to game, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

When can jest be used instead of game?

While the synonyms jest and game are close in meaning, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When is play a more appropriate choice than game?

The synonyms play and game are sometimes interchangeable, but play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

When might sport be a better fit than game?

The meanings of sport and game largely overlap; however, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of game
Noun
But few players were swifter around the bases, and managers enlisted him as a pinch runner in close, late-innings games. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026 Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! —Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The mid-game concert has seen many stars over the years, from Beyoncé to Katy Perry to last year's Kendrick Lamar. —Catherine Messier, The Patriot Ledger, 6 Feb. 2026 The superstar Grammy winner also appeared at a press conference Thursday, with pre-game performers Coco Jones, Brandi Carlisle and Charlie Puth. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for game
  1. tournament
  2. strategy
  3. play
  4. profession
  5. area
  6. ready
  7. competition
  8. plan
Noun
  • Although the College Football Playoff will remain a 12-team field in 2026, the tournament's committee has unveiled postseason dates and bowl sites for the next two seasons.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • In the Mission League, Sierra Canyon, Notre Dame, Crespi and Loyola earned automatic playoff berths for advancing to the league tournament semifinal.
    — Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of tournament
Noun
  • Jim's stock market commentary , market analysis , stock pick breakdowns , and Club Members' Mailbag offer an MBA-caliber finance education that is easy to absorb and apply to your personal investing strategies.
    — , CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Now, platforms like ReelShort and DramaBox are testing out a similar strategy but leaning into low-budget, soapy series, instead.
    — Lauren Wilson, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • Imagine banishing stuffed animals from the living room, corralling all the toy cars outside the main bedroom, and finally finding a place for that play kitchen that isn’t your actual kitchen.
    — Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s new production of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 play, directed by Marti Lyons, the design team takes this line to heart, using a monochrome purple palette to represent Hedda’s claustrophobic world (scenic design by Joe Schermoly).
    — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of play
Noun
  • The median annual income expected for STEM professions over the next ten years is more than $100,000.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Diane Lane as Lorena Wood is another tried-and-true western figure, a femme de joie looking to put her profession behind her.
    — Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of profession
Noun
  • Detectives noted a consistent gait and distinctive walking pattern across videos captured before and after the shooting, including footage showing the suspect circling the area for hours and later walking away from the Barus & Holley building shortly after the gunfire.
    — Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Prescott's downtown area adds the perfect southwest charm and history and was even the stomping grounds of famed cowboy Doc Holiday.
    — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of area
Adjective
  • Check out new opportunities and be ready to act fast on them.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
  • With Carlton, newcomer Aaliyah Crump and sophomore guard Jordan Lee — who's showing signs of getting her offensive groove back — settling into solid support roles, the Horns still have the overall look of a group ready to make a return to the Final Four.
    — Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of ready
Noun
  • Khelif has appealed the new policy that will keep the athlete out of any competitions pending the results of genetic testing.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • During the second annual competition in October, the team from La Marmotte restaurant, also located downtown, won with a concoction of Nikka Vodka, Luxardo Espresso liqueur, Irish cream, and Count Chocula and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereals.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • Football fans, now is the time to set yourself a reminder to make early Valentine’s Day plans for next year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Republicans last year cut about $1 trillion over a decade from Medicaid and declined to extend covid-19-era subsidies that had lowered the cost of health plans under the Affordable Care Act.
    — ALI SWENSON, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of plan

Phrases Containing game

Browse Nearby Words

gambols
game
gamely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/game. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on game

Nglish: Translation of game for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All