JEST Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

jest 1 of 2

noun

ˈjest

Definition of jest

as in fun

an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously you should know that our teasing was done entirely in jest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in joke

something said or done to cause laughter laughed politely at his feeble jest about his pet mosquito

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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as in fool

a person or thing that is made fun of his outlandish costumes made him the jest of the town

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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!"

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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

Sellner positioned the memes as something that could be taken in jest. — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026 Rich Polk—Getty Images Glaser teased Leonardo DiCaprio about dating much younger women, which is a frequent jest made about the dating life of the One Battle After Another star. — Melissa Locker, Time, 12 Jan. 2026

Verb

Language There’s some crude language, jesting, and mature comedic themes, but but nothing the modern tween or teen hasn’t seen or heard before. — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Dec. 2025 And his sense of humor douses jest over images that probably shouldn’t be funny. — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for jest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jest

Noun

And senior Donavyn Pellot joined the fun Saturday, recording the first interception of his career and returning it 67 yards, flipping the field, and turning the tide of the game.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Milhouse’s wishes come true when the Grand Pumpkin turns out to be real, but he’s pissed that humans carve up his pumpkin brothers and sisters for fun.

— Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of fun

Noun

Eric André and Schulz were always making jokes and filming prank videos.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors say Canadian visitor Mitchell Fairbarn took Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas habitat in a drunk prank and injured the bird; his lawyer says Fairbarn never intended harm.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of prank

Noun

White elephant gift exchanges are a holiday party staple, bringing plenty of laughs, a little friendly competition and, of course, the occasional gift-stealing showdown.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Cohen is so naturally funny and quick with improvisation that there are plenty of laughs along the way.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of joking

Noun

Sexton, who missed all five preseason games, was a full participant in practice Monday and did not suffer a setback, Redick said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
That’s going to be one of the best things about this season — the preponderance of Hornets games on local TV.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of game

Noun

Today, our constructor has reached into his evidently limitless bag of tricks to pull out a doozy of a Thursday grid.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The subtle, but unmistakable, undercurrent of apple sweetness struck me as a bit of a magic trick in a bread that, otherwise, to the eye and hand was just a soft white loaf.

— Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of trick

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“Jest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jest. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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