as in kidding
marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing
grinned and gave him a joking nudge with my elbow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in funning
to make jokes
he was known for his ability to joke about his lack of anything resembling a social life
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in teasing
to make fun of in a good-natured way
oh, don't get offended, I was just joking you
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in jesting
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of joking
Michael Nied, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Multiple outlets that examined the reporting identified the claim as unverified and labeled the story a hoax; Colbert had previously made a joking on-air reference to streaming platforms but had not announced any deal with Netflix.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
But while the ads are laugh-out-loud funny, the product is anything but a joking matter.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
No one broke the fourth wall to acknowledge that this was anything other than a deeply theatrical experience — except for Josh Gad’s Herod, with some improvised joking in his one number.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
In short, the women had a great time playing the games, joking around with each other and enjoying the mild weather at the indoor/outdoor bar.
—Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus praised Jersey girls, joking that the crowd looked better than the one in Buffalo (likely a tour staple), while Hozier introduced Washington Township’s Ryan Connors as his new music director.
—Michele Amabile Angermiller, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Authorities are reviewing a group chat between several people joking about how the shooter looked like Robinson, multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News.
—ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Harry brought his trademark humor and warmth to the awards, a ceremony honoring seriously ill children who have shown incredible courage, joking and making smiles all around.
—Erin Hill, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Kate, 46, began by joking about how their relationship evolved from childhood into adulthood.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Longfellow’s departure is somewhat of a surprise given that he was seemingly being primed to take over the Weekend Update desk at some point after some successful stints behind the desk, joking about topics such as TikTok and Real ID.
—Peter White, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Some have voiced frustration over the rapid-fire variants, joking that their wallets can’t keep up.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
When Peanut pulled his second escape act, his owners knew where to look and handled Peanut's disappearance in a joking manner.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Multiple outlets that examined the reporting identified the claim as unverified and labeled the story a hoax; Colbert had previously made a joking on-air reference to streaming platforms but had not announced any deal with Netflix.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
But while the ads are laugh-out-loud funny, the product is anything but a joking matter.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
No one broke the fourth wall to acknowledge that this was anything other than a deeply theatrical experience — except for Josh Gad’s Herod, with some improvised joking in his one number.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
Robinson wasn’t joking, the charging document alleges.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
In short, the women had a great time playing the games, joking around with each other and enjoying the mild weather at the indoor/outdoor bar.
—Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus praised Jersey girls, joking that the crowd looked better than the one in Buffalo (likely a tour staple), while Hozier introduced Washington Township’s Ryan Connors as his new music director.
—Michele Amabile Angermiller, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Authorities are reviewing a group chat between several people joking about how the shooter looked like Robinson, multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News.
—ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Harry brought his trademark humor and warmth to the awards, a ceremony honoring seriously ill children who have shown incredible courage, joking and making smiles all around.
—Erin Hill, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Kate, 46, began by joking about how their relationship evolved from childhood into adulthood.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Longfellow’s departure is somewhat of a surprise given that he was seemingly being primed to take over the Weekend Update desk at some point after some successful stints behind the desk, joking about topics such as TikTok and Real ID.
—Peter White, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Some have voiced frustration over the rapid-fire variants, joking that their wallets can’t keep up.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joking
Verb
-
Pat Kelsey wasn't kidding about wanting the smoke.—
Leo Bertucci,
The Courier-Journal,
2 Sep. 2025
-
In 2019, Lebanese depositors discovered that their banking system had, in effect, just been kidding about those savings accounts.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Prior to the announcement, Quinn has been teasing Briney’s narration on social media.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In December, Sony Pictures released a YouTube video featuring Rudd and Black teasing the movie, which is slated for release on Christmas Day.—
Sharareh Drury,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With his dry, sarcastic wit and honesty, Barney is a notorious player on the dating scene.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
-
His witty, sarcastic, and often controversial commentary is the soundtrack to a generation of wrestling fans.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Not to mention the Epstein files nonsense.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Learning that, following that childbirth/torture nonsense, Julia and Davina are now friends.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Louie is summoned to the apartment of Joe Black, a higher-up gangster played by John Malkovich with a manner so quizzical yet threatening that his voice just about quivers with unexpressed rage.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Cue a quizzical look from Sting.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Joking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joking. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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