jest 1 of 2

noun

ˈjest How to pronounce jest (audio)
Definition of jestnext
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

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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

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4
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
However, Chef Karina Orozco is quick to point out the fun cannabis or pot references are all in jest. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 Proving the heckle was all in jest, Vergara smiled at the fellow actor. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 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
  1. fun
  2. joke
  3. prank
  4. play
  5. laugh
  6. game
  7. trick
  8. sport
Noun
  • While the podcast segment saw the co-hosts poking fun at his views, the internet did not hold back in its response.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In a video shared by A Dog's Hideaway, another golden called Butters was equally sleepy after hours of fun at day care.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of fun
Noun
  • Trump sued Maher in 2013 for $5 million after the comedian made a crass joke about his mother and an orangutan.
    — Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Andrews adds musical interludes, which don’t always work, and brutal jokes, which do.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of joke
Noun
  • The Squad created fun and silly content, from lip-syncs and pranks to skits and viral challenges.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The son quickly called his mom, who confirmed the ticket wasn’t a prank.
    — Sam Gillette, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of prank
Noun
  • Nathan MacKinnon got the play started with an outlet pass to Samuel Girard.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
  • For the Heat, there has been the sometimes play of Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of play
Noun
  • That sort of showboating elicits laughs from TV audiences, partly because today's younger shoppers are spending less on pricey goods and more on luxury experiences.
    — Marco della Cava, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Sharing good laughs goes a long way to strengthening connections and relationships.
    — Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • The Heat came up short in the first two games of the first-round Eastern Conference series.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • During his five years at TCU, Williams played in 52 games, caught 137 passes for 1,655 yards (12.1) and had 14 touchdowns.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of game
Noun
  • The company, which sells hot and iced coffee, tea, shakes, as well as burritos and tacos, also hosts classes to teach dogs tricks.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Dimbleby’s age, far from a liability, feels like a magic trick—rare is the podcast host in 2025 who can casually weave socioeconomics together with personal memories of the Second World War.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Professional sports, it’s often said, primes people to view elections as a contest between rivals.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of sport

Browse Nearby Words

jerry-rigged
jest
jested
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jest. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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