Definition of jesternext
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as in fool
a person formerly kept in a royal or noble household to amuse with jests and pranks the king called for some much-needed entertainment from his jester

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 jester Medieval Europe, an era that gave us heraldry, court jesters, and troubadours, is rendered in dull, grayish brown hues. Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025 In uncertain times, humour is a powerful tool, and artists are the best jesters, critics, and storytellers around. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Ronald McDonald would beg to differ, although this assertion was made a full 40 years before the hamburger harlequin would supplant Bozo as America’s most beloved parti-colored jester. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Pugs is dressed like a jester, poor kid. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jester
Noun
  • Actor-comedian Cecily Strong is 42.
    Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The British Whitehall, primarily known as a stand-up comedian, panel show guest and presenter, makes a fine romantic lead.
    Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Sadly, OpenAI plays us for fools.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
  • For years, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been a wizard at designing blitzes that fool quarterbacks.
    Sam McDowell February 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Deep cherry red, black, and white come together to create a whimsical world of dice, cards, sad clowns, and a ticking pocketwatch.
    Samantha Brash, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
  • These clowns don't even have the courage of their pathetic White supremacist convictions.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Rather than the usual crisscross pattern, Holmes’ sweater features solid block diamonds in bold colors for a harlequin look that is honestly a breath of fresh air.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
  • In these respects, apart from the harlequin excesses of his Stalinism, Cowley is terrifically sound.
    Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Students are required to bring two full decks of cards including the jokers.
    Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Mas, though, does have a joker in his deck.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jester. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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