jest 1 of 2

noun

ˈjest How to pronounce jest (audio)
Definition of jestnext
1
as in fun
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously you should know that our teasing was done entirely in jest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter laughed politely at his feeble jest about his pet mosquito

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in fool
a person or thing that is made fun of his outlandish costumes made him the jest of the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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
Proving the heckle was all in jest, Vergara smiled at the fellow actor. — Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 Although the 49ers have endured a trying season, the team camaraderie is evident with Aiyuk's jest toward Purdy following the Big 12 championship game. — Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
The two also jested about their pet peeves about each other. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023 This led him to jest about a personal request from viewers. — Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 2 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for jest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jest
  1. fun
  2. joke
  3. prank
  4. play
  5. laugh
  6. game
  7. trick
  8. sport
Noun
  • During his debut appearance, Wallen also appeared in a sketch poking fun at the controversy surrounding him when he was photographed partying and not wearing a mask in Alabama.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Saturday Night Live poked fun at a recent blunder made by the Trump administration.
    — Nicholas Rice, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of fun
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Corden, as the event’s emcee, made some uncomfortable jokes about the Dow dropping 2200 points last Friday.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • After Wil Trapp scored a rare goal in Minnesota United’s 2-1 win over New York City on Sunday — and the midfielder did so from outside the 18-yard box — Michael Boxall had jokes ready for his teammate and friend in the visiting locker room at Yankee Stadium.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of joke
Noun
  • Woman Catches What Neighbor's Kid Does On Doorbell Cam, Sends Mom A Text By Jack Beresford Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A woman had an unexpected reaction after discovering that her daughter had played a prank on one of their neighbors.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Some may even find the prank funny, smiling and shaking their heads before moving on.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of prank
Noun
  • State of play: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is directing the department's Civil Rights Division to determine if the universities' admission policies comply with the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling overturning affirmative action.
    — Nadia Lopez, Axios, 29 Mar. 2025
  • That includes her eighth- and ninth-grade play for Windermere Prep.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of play
Noun
  • In a bit role, Morgan McGhee delivers big laughs with her loopy take as a newscaster.
    — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast co-host was spotted sharing a laugh with his daughter Mia and his niece Savannah Phillips on Christmas at Sandringham in December 2024, joining the royals for church on the holiday.
    — Janine Henni, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Alcala is often seen at Verdugo's games, sporting team gear alongside their children, Efrain, A.J. and Alianna.
    — Nasha Smith, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • However, that was overshadowed by Westbrook's mishaps in the final seconds of the game.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of game
Noun
  • What Dangerous or Tricky People Might Do Ruda says kids should recognize common tricks that dangerous or tricky person might use to catch them off guard.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 31 Mar. 2025
  • If not, there will be a new game released tomorrow with another chance to guess the categories, and Newsweek will be back with more tips and tricks to help you along!
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of trick
Noun
  • After Kornacki became a pop culture sensation during the 2020 election, NBC expanded his role to sports in 2021.
    — Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Georgia lawmakers on Monday sent legislation to bar transgender student-athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who is expected to sign the measure into law.
    — Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of sport

Browse Nearby Words

jerry-rigged
jest
jested
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jest. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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