fun 1 of 3

Definition of funnext

fun

2 of 3

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
View gallery - 5 images Fujifilm's been in the instant shoot-and-print camera business for more than 25 years now, and its newest offering is a fun departure from its longstanding lineup. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026 And, Murray is a kind of a surrogate, fun uncle-type of character. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Paying for it later feels kind of fun. Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026 The festivities Everyone seems to be having fun so far. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fun
Adjective
  • But there are some amusing additions to her particular collection of trinkets, too.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Tony has main character energy (which is amusing because the series centers around him).
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The character came to life after the writers' strike temporarily shut down much of the entertainment industry.
    Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Rasmus Dahlin scored a pair of power-play goals and the Buffalo Sabres won for the 14th time in their last 16 games, 5-2 over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.
    CBS News, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Both teams traded pockets of carrying play.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.
    Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
  • According to Amex, what unites these destinations is a desire for meaningful travel—whether through first-time adventures, cultural immersion, or settings that balance relaxation with a strong sense of place.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • During the commotion, the agent’s shaky cellphone video shows houses along the street and views of the sky.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
  • In the heat of the moment, though, Certa was clearly walking after one of the officials, but Shrewsberry came barreling in as the official turned around to see the commotion.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Chalamet joked as the camera cut to O'Leary applauding boisterously.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Legislators have privately joked about keeping prospective bill ideas in their desks, waiting for Polis’ successor to enter office before dusting them off.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • To make these journeys manageable and enjoyable, visitors must rely on local travel platforms which understand (and solve) the logistical challenges.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Season 2 is not without enjoyable intrigue, yet never proves worth the risk of opening a closed (literal) book.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In 2022, Stonestreet trolled Ferguson by reposting an edited version of a throwback photo Ferguson had shared earlier that day, to the delight of Modern Family fans.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Cove is much larger, with a more formal service style, but the exactitude is still there, the sense of stylishness, the obsession and the delight.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fun. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

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