jape 1 of 2

noun

Definition of japenext
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter by the standards of today's no-holds-barred satire, Will Rogers' homespun japes about politicians seem awfully gentle

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jape

2 of 2

verb

ˈjāp How to pronounce jape (audio)
as in to joke
to make jokes the characters in Oscar Wilde's plays jape with a readiness and sophistication that is rarely, if ever, encountered in real life

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 jape
Noun
The camp hatred of Barney is really a leftover 1960s counterculture jape. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026 Perhaps that’s why Hook’s japes hold a kernel of wisdom; the knowledge that when all else fails, finding the fun in absurd chaos (say, on a quiet London street) is an apt response to a chaotic world. — Daniel Seifert, JSTOR Daily, 16 July 2025
Verb
He is reported to have participated in a pestilential online gun culture, replete with tasteless japing about mass shootings. — wsj.com, 12 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for jape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jape
  1. joke
  2. jest
  3. laugh
  4. joking
Noun
  • The problem is, having our President butt in here was a joke.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The two constants in the show, tap-dancing and short ridiculous jokes, start to have the same rhythms and sharp bam-bam-bam impact.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Grant proudly shows off his bespoke gift, but not without taking a jesting jab at his closest confidante.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of jest
Noun
  • Fox Sports cameras showed Swift sharing a laugh with Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce, in a suite.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Davidson cowrote each episode, providing plenty of laughs and adding an extra bounce to the show’s hopeful ending.
    — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
  • Still, Yoon’s joking somehow lightens the mood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Definition of joking

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Cite this Entry

“Jape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jape. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of jape for Spanish Speakers

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