joke 1 of 2

noun

ˈjōk How to pronounce joke (audio)
Definition of jokenext
1
as in laugh
something said or done to cause laughter he was known for his hilarious jokes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something her rendition of the national anthem is a joke

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fool
a person or thing that is made fun of having lost his looks and his voice years ago, these days he's just a show business joke and fodder for late-night comedy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

joke

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fun
to make jokes he was known for his ability to joke about his lack of anything resembling a social life

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2
as in to tease
to make fun of in a good-natured way oh, don't get offended, I was just joking you

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 joke
Noun
Laughter and jokes are banned, and writing is presented as arduous and faintly depressing. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 Albanese made the joke on Nikki Osborne’s podcast Bush Deep in an episode that came out Thursday. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Verb
According to her statement, Jake was opening a new pack of football cards and joking with his grandmother when Walter's vehicle struck theirs. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 Almost 10 years to the date exactly, the Scandal star joked about the secrecy of her own wedding to Entertainment Tonight. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joke
  1. laugh
  2. parody
  3. fool
  4. kid
  5. tease
  6. joking
  7. caricature
  8. target
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
  • Scary Movie paved the way for more big-screen parodies, including Date Movie (2006), Epic Movie (2007), and Meet the Spartans (2008).
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026
  • Their outmoded style, with its seriousness and corniness, its big acting choices and low budgets, is basically impossible to recreate without falling into parody.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • Being a gent or a supplicant wasn’t the same as being a fool, though.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Don’t let the simple style fool you, though, because the ultra-soft foam insoles provide solid arch support.
    — Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
Definition of fool
Verb
  • If there was any skepticism due to the level of competition Moss faced in college, don’t kid yourself.
    — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 25 June 2026
  • Just kidding, but seeing Angela’s team sweep Shamea’s at the Bailey Bowl basketball tournament was almost as satisfying as knowing Charles got to witness his former team’s historic win in person.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Definition of kid
Verb
  • While the flagship movie franchise is coming to an end, Diesel previously teased that NBCUniversal has four TV shows in development from the Fast & Furious world.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 July 2026
  • The featurette teases Zada as Haymitch, with scenes ranging from the literal sunrise on his Reaping Day to Capitol interviews to the Games itself.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 4 July 2026
Definition of tease
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
Noun
  • Olikara, who grew up around Wisconsin’s farmland, bristles at how routinely rural America is flattened into caricature.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Honestly, Suzie has been a caricature of a demanding boss straight from some sort of rom-com situation, but Paula finally dresses her down here and the scene is delightful.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 24 June 2026
Definition of caricature
Noun
  • The Angels’ lucky Pikachu might not be a trade target going into the deadline.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Spurs have approached this summer window with a determination to back their head coach, and to be ruthless and decisive in their pursuit of targets.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of target

Phrases Containing joke

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on joke

Nglish: Translation of joke for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about joke

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