1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
laughed politely at his feeble jest about his pet mosquito
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
4
as in to joke
to make jokes
when I asked my sister for a loan, she laughingly replied, "Surely you jest!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
It's done in jest, making fun of the films that came before it that have exhibited genuine concern for a woman's future past her third decade on this planet.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
This led him to jest about a personal request from viewers.
—Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 2 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for jest
Noun
Teams seemingly snatched valuable free agents left and right while the Dolphins’ inactivity became a point of jest for national pundits like Pat McAfee.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
It's done in jest, making fun of the films that came before it that have exhibited genuine concern for a woman's future past her third decade on this planet.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
The two also jested about their pet peeves about each other.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
This led him to jest about a personal request from viewers.
—Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 2 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for jest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jest
Noun
-
Fish at Shaw Park Hunt Family Nature Center in Springdale will host a fishing fun day at 9 a.m. Friday at Shaw Family Park, 7341 W. Downum Road, in Springdale.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 July 2025
-
The 40-year-old former UNLV quarterback subbed himself into 11-on-11 drills and purposely threw an interception to inject a little fun into his team’s fourth straight day of training camp practice.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Buddusky tries to fill the room with noise, jokes, bluster.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 July 2025
-
Sketching swastikas and 'edgy' jokes: Idaho shooter not typical loner Who is Wess Roley?—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
The marijuana photos that appeared this weekend when people googled Taylor Police Department were likely a prank that, for a moment, had some in the community snickering, including the deputy chief.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
-
What starts as a simple favor to keep her great-niece turns into a wild Halloween night filled with jump scares and pranks — but as usual, nothing frightens her more than bad manners and disrespect. Boo 2!—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Amenities: Free on-site parking, restaurant, rooftop bar, gym, pool and kid’s pool, beach access, dedicated kid’s play area Editor’s tip: Don’t miss the sourdough breads and pastries baked fresh every morning courtesy of the hotel’s new bakery in town, Red Jane.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
-
That was followed by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) by Washington D.C., which offers 43 restaurants to choose from, one play area, five breastfeeding stations, and rentable strollers.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Watch the scene where the three men stop at a bar in D.C. Meadows laughs for the first time — a shy, honest laugh.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 July 2025
-
Nixon’s spirit drew appreciative laughs from the crowd throughout the competition.—
Calista Oetama,
Sacbee.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Mama Cozzi's Buffalo Chicken Dip Deli Pizza Is there anything better than creamy, homemade buffalo chicken dip on game day?—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
31 July 2025
-
Kotsay said ahead of Wednesday’s series-closing game against the Seattle Mariners (57-51).—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
From fashion tips and tricks to tween and teen hair and nails, our back-to-school style guide has a little bit of everything.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
29 July 2025
-
So begins a scrappy come-up story, about older dogs learning new tricks to revitalize a dying print industry.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
In May, after initially agreeing to defend the sports commission against lawsuits from shooting victims, Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company filed declaratory judgments in federal court, aiming to deny coverage to the sports commission.—
PJ Green
July 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 July 2025
-
Prize money caps have arguably become harder to justify in a more commercialized college sports world.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jest. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share