JESTS Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

jests 1 of 2

noun

plural of jest

as in jokes

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

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as in pranks

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 fools

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jests

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of jest

as in quips

to make jokes when I asked my sister for a loan, she laughingly replied, "Surely you jest!"

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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 jests

Noun

Be sure that your jests don’t become insults! — Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jests

Noun

The pro‑government newspaper Sabah said dozens of viewers were offended by jokes on religion and filed complaints, prompting the investigation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Slides, jokes and the occasional embarrassing photo are fair game.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026

Definition of jokes

Noun

Police used the incident to warn the public that pranks involving Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, or other toy firearms can provoke dangerous reactions and lead to criminal charges.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 26 June 2026
In the special, Arcuri tackles topics like marital pranks and urinal mind games while contending, on the more serious side, with his wife Katie Thurston’s cancer journey.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 June 2026

Definition of pranks

Noun

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
Nervous laughs and unexpected insights emerge as young people use stories to make sense of themselves and the world around them.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of laughs

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jesting

jests

jet

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“Jests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jests. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of jests

noun

verb

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