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 next

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 This was all in jest though and while many would object to making homophobia a joke, there didn’t appear to be actual malice behind it, at least from a superficial look. —

Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025

Verb

The big picture: Parody accounts from Mount Rainier and Mount Hood are trading playful taunts and humorous one-upmanship, comparing body counts and jesting about whether size matters. —

Christine Clarridge, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025 While Black jested about the possibility of a sequel in his video, the concept has come up in the past. —

Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for jest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jest

Noun

Tinky Winky, the purple Teletubby who was ensnared in controversy in 1999 when televangelist Jerry Falwell accused it of being gay (and yet rumors still linger on…), led moves with Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po all joining in on the fun.

— Marc Malkin, Variety, 25 June 2026
The Orange Walk put on by devotees of the Netherlands national team — and more than a few locals joining in for fun — was a party from start to finish, and everyone was involved.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

Definition of fun

Noun

New Delhi — What started as an online joke has now spilled onto the streets of India’s capital.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Jan Paul van Hecke, a center-back who saw action on all parts of the pitch by both defending and scoring a goal, praised how the field held up — while also making a joke.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

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
These are the kinds of hijinks fans came to expect, evoking all the feelings of a fun day at summer camp… with maybe a slightly higher volume of pranks.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026

Definition of prank

Noun

In 2022, Renard coached Saudi Arabia, which pulled off one of the greatest World Cup upsets by defeating Argentina in group play.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026
There’s a lot of hard work that goes into being a shopping writer, but there’s a lot of play, too.

— Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Definition of play

Noun

Steele’s portrayal of imperious, glamorous Tanya provides some of the show’s biggest laughs.

— R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
What makes this such an exhilarating watch is how the performers navigate every passive-aggressive aside, every catty comment, every choice bit of annoying behavior played for laughs, pathos, or both at once.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

The last jackpot win came May 2, when two tickets split $20 million, a relatively small prize that reset the game’s steady climb.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 28 June 2026
Messi had been one of only three players to score in six consecutive World Cup games along with France striker Just Fontaine and Brazil great Jairzinho.

— Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Definition of game

Noun

Boutique gems, new offers win the day Elevated VIP-style vacays with truffles, oysters and bubbly are attainable with some tips and tricks.

— Kathryn Streeter, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Sora Shirai captured victory after maintaining his lead through the best trick section, while teammates Kairi Netsuke and Toa Sasaki climbed from the bottom of the leaderboard with clutch final tricks to complete a Japanese podium sweep.

— Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026