fun 1 of 3

fun

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noun

1
2
as in play
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously when I said that playing the piano like that could get you arrested, I only said it in fun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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fun

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fun differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fun are game, jest, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of fun?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When can jest be used instead of fun?

The words jest and fun can be used in similar contexts, but jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When might play be a better fit than fun?

In some situations, the words play and fun are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

In what contexts can sport take the place of fun?

The synonyms sport and fun are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 fun
Adjective
Ready for some fun facts about bed bugs? Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025 Weather folklore is fun, but is there any truth to them? Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Such books offer fun lessons in craft possibilities. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025 Halloween is all about fun, but for fans of sparkling sinks and tidy countertops, the holiday just got a little brighter. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fun
Adjective
  • As a first-grade teacher, Gina Range is often privy to some of the most audacious and amusing comments from her class of 6- and 7-year-olds.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
  • The result is a minimalist, and amusing, website, with models who move around, sit on handmade chairs, fiddle with their hair, and play around with the clothes.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Industry observers will be closely watching how Kimmel and his late-night counterparts approach sensitive political topics in the coming weeks as the debate over free speech, responsibility and entertainment continues within American television.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to being inexpensive entertainment, with a low bar to entry, bowling was familiar to and popular with European immigrant groups, particularly Wisconsin’s German community.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The play itself, however, is a mess.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The women’s team starts with 12 non-conference bouts and kicks off conference play by hosting the Memphis Tigers on New Year’s Eve.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • However, research shows that deep belly breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which elicits the body’s relaxation response.
    Juli Fraga, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
  • There’s a kitchenette stocked with a Nespresso machine, a deep soaking bathtub for relaxation, and sweet outdoor terrace perfect for watching the sunset or indulging in happy hour.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The newsmagazine’s previous season was filled with commotion, but Whitaker says there is noise about something tied to the show almost every year.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Oprah Winfrey, who popped up earlier in the week at Ralph Lauren's fashion show, caused quite the commotion with her appearance at Christian Siriano's runway show Friday.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Below, how late-night hosts Meyers, Colbert, Jon Stewart, and Fallon reacted to — and joked about — Kimmel’s suspension.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The message comes just a few days after Durant and his agent Rich Kleiman joked about the predicament at CNBC's Game Plan conference in Los Angeles.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This bike is meant to move, whether to speed through a commute, push an exercise ride a bit farther, or tackle that one hill that ruins your otherwise enjoyable route.
    Kevin Purdy, ArsTechnica, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Striving to be a hub for a high quality, affordable, and enjoyable vaping, the shop expanded into the CBD market in 2019 and is now focused on being a shop for all vapers.
    Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The podcasting duo immediately lost it and began screaming in delight.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live returned last night after a week-long suspension, much to the delight of the general public.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fun. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.

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