JEST Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'jest' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jest are fun , game , play , and sport . While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing. // hurt by remarks said only in jest

Q: In what contexts can 'fun' take the place of 'jest'?

Although the words fun and jest have much in common, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose. // played cards just for fun

Q: How are the words 'game' and 'sport' related as synonyms of 'jest'?

Game is close to sport , and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun. // made game of their poor relations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'play' instead of 'jest'?

The words play and jest can be used in similar contexts, but play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief. // pretended to strangle his brother in play

Q: When could 'sport' be used to replace 'jest'?

The words sport and jest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone. // teasing begun in sport led to anger

jest 1 of 2

noun

ˈjest

Definition of jest next

as in fun

an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously you should know that our teasing was done entirely in jest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in joke

something said or done to cause laughter laughed politely at his feeble jest about his pet mosquito

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in prank

a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke putting a mouse in her desk drawer was intended to be a harmless jest

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in fool

a person or thing that is made fun of his outlandish costumes made him the jest of the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jest

2 of 2

verb

as in to joke

to make jokes when I asked my sister for a loan, she laughingly replied, "Surely you jest!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun jest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jest are fun, game, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

In what contexts can fun take the place of jest?

Although the words fun and jest have much in common, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How are the words game and sport related as synonyms of jest?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When is it sensible to use play instead of jest?

The words play and jest can be used in similar contexts, but play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

When could sport be used to replace jest?

The words sport and jest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 jest

Noun

Rich Polk—Getty Images Glaser teased Leonardo DiCaprio about dating much younger women, which is a frequent jest made about the dating life of the One Battle After Another star. —

Melissa Locker, Time, 12 Jan. 2026 This was all in jest though and while many would object to making homophobia a joke, there didn’t appear to be actual malice behind it, at least from a superficial look. —

Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025

Verb

Mamdani has said nobody should throw snowballs at cops — jesting that the public should throw them at him instead — but does not see it as a criminal matter. —

Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026 So much so that a cheeky George Clooney let loose a certain four-letter word while jesting about a fellow actor. —

Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jest

Noun

Set in the San Bernardino Mountains (like Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead), Oak Glen is home to acres of apple orchards, bed-and-breakfasts, and a family fun park, Oak Tree Mountain.

— Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
Every Sunday, the kids club—adorably called Sweet Potato—organizes eco-educational activities such as bamboo kit workshops and pigment painting classes, and the shallow end of the beachfront infinity pool delivers hours of watery fun.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026

Definition of fun

Noun

As the escape-room activity kicks off — the guests have 30 minutes to find Aesha’s crew — the boys find plenty of opportunity to make insinuating jokes about tying up the girls, some (Coop) more wholesome than others (Luke).

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
And as a distant relative jokes, many can be found on mortgages, loans and other debts.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

Those ticket sales rank as the worst opening in the prank comedy series that’s all about risking life, limb and dignity.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 June 2026
Police used the incident to warn the public that pranks involving Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, or other toy firearms can provoke dangerous reactions and lead to criminal charges.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Definition of prank

Noun

The 16-man team will be coached by Lakers assistant coach Ty Abbott and begin summer league play Friday against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
With group play coming to a close and the Round of 32 approaching, the competition is heating up as teams look to punch their tickets to the knockout round in hopes of hoisting the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the final on Sunday, July 19.

— Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of play

Noun

The Red Sox and Nationals turned a regular June game into the biggest baseball brawl of the season after Boston hothead Willson Contreras completely lost it.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
The Dodgers are in the midst of playing 13 games in 13 days, and Roberts wanted to make sure that the Japanese sensation got a break.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of game

Noun

The trick is to widen your view deliberately, one angle at a time, because each new angle surfaces buyers the last one missed.

— Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Now, as heat waves wash over cities from London to Palm Springs, people are embracing this tried-and-true trick with the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026