in jest
idiom
formal + old-fashioned
: as a joke
I didn't mean to upset you; I only said it in jest.
Examples of in jest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many of these clips were offered in jest, but, truthfully, this is how many fans now interact with sports.
—
Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024
While some theories were posited in jest, others appeared to be shared in earnest.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
McCain rejected Lake's claims that her previous attacks on her father were meant in jest.
—Morgan Fischer, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024
The old issue took on new life this week when Lake claimed in a KTAR interview that her criticism of the six-term senator and 2008 presidential nominee were said in jest.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
Though said in jest, the governor was alluding to an uncomfortable reality.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2023
Without the family drama at its center, Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction — about a disgruntled author who, in jest, writes a grossly stereotypical African American novel that achieves mass success — could be a mockumentary about Hollywood.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2024
His spokesman later stressed that the post was in jest and clearly labeled A.I.-generated.
—Lucía Cholakian Herrera, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
The Licht regime banned alcohol this year, however, after Cohen became a bit tipsy last year and trashed Ryan Seacrest in jest.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Sep. 2023
Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024
While some theories were posited in jest, others appeared to be shared in earnest.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
McCain rejected Lake's claims that her previous attacks on her father were meant in jest.
—Morgan Fischer, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024
The old issue took on new life this week when Lake claimed in a KTAR interview that her criticism of the six-term senator and 2008 presidential nominee were said in jest.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
Though said in jest, the governor was alluding to an uncomfortable reality.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2023
Without the family drama at its center, Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction — about a disgruntled author who, in jest, writes a grossly stereotypical African American novel that achieves mass success — could be a mockumentary about Hollywood.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2024
His spokesman later stressed that the post was in jest and clearly labeled A.I.-generated.
—Lucía Cholakian Herrera, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
The Licht regime banned alcohol this year, however, after Cohen became a bit tipsy last year and trashed Ryan Seacrest in jest.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in jest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“In jest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20jest. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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