MAKING FUN OF Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

making fun of

phrase

present participle of make fun of

as in ridiculing

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter It's cruel to make fun of other people's imperfections.

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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 making fun of All three may contain posts making fun of individual students' behavior. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Since the faces on display are unusually eclectic, the knee-jerk reaction is to fear the movie is making fun of them. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Obviously, our way in was through nostalgia and the era with slime and Gak, making fun of ourselves and self-deprecation. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 Farrar’s tweet, Phillips said, plays off the dynamic of liberals getting up in arms, and people then making fun of liberals for getting up in arms. — David MacK, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 According to the co-hosts, the best thing about awards shows is making fun of people in the room, so there will be plenty of jokes at the expense of Black and Stewart’s celebrity friends. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 The late-night show then played a series of clips of Trump making fun of people based on their size and appearance. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026 The Tonight Show host has been palling around with Katseye, trying on QVC wigs, starting his own microdrama, interviewing almost everyone involved in The Odyssey and making fun of the President. — Peter White, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026 With Grier making fun of her appearance, Shields, 61, had no problem firing back with her own clapbacks. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for making fun of

poking fun at

Phrase

With the audience already erupting in laughter, Magliano dug in her heels, poking fun at the United States’ strict broadcasting rules after Gillis accidentally dropped the F-bomb during a sketch.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrated that come-from-behind victory by grating cheese on the field, poking fun at Green Bay’s Cheesehead fan base.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of poking fun at

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“Making fun of.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/making%20fun%20of. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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