Thesaurus results for BADINAGE

badinage

noun

ˌba-də-ˈnäzh

Definition of badinage

as in banter

good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks the sophisticated badinage of the characters in plays by Oscar Wilde

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 badinage The speed and clarity with which Cruise delivers that monologue extends to his interactions with his co-stars in scenes that recall the whip-smart comedies of Preston Sturges in their fast badinage. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026 Left on their own, boisterous badinage between old school British thespian Shaw and giggly, hyper-ventilating wannabe movie star Dreyfuss has taken hold. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026 The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025 Each bus has a pair of hosts, whose badinage is corny but crowd-pleasing. — Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 In The Kitchen, Wesker tracked the decorum from friendly badinage to hostile vernacular that co-workers sustain just to get through the day. — Armond White, National Review, 30 Oct. 2024 The question of who was manipulating whom had been a meta thing in our conversations from the beginning, with jokey badinage about the power of interviewers and the vulnerability of their subjects. — Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023 But also present are Heyer’s wry humor and deftness in witty badinage. — Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for badinage

Noun

With the mood set, our hosts, Stéphane Bern and Arianne Alcorta, both famous television personalities, kicked off the requisite jovial banter.

— Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2026
Solomon bursts in later and changes the whole pace of the play from practical conversation to fun banter, then back to practicality.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of banter

Noun

With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.

— Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 13 May 2021
French’s evocation of place, a rural way of life and overall creepiness are superb, as is the dialogue, a festival of Irish raillery and repartee.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2020

Definition of raillery

Noun

As Dave Chappelle takes backlash for a joke at Charlie Kirk‘s expense, the late Turning Point USA founder’s widow has responded.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026
This all happened after years in which the President and the Vice-President have deployed racist epithets, jokes, and myths.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

Coffee, briefcases, snappy repartee with a whiff of cynicism — where are Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney?

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
One wonders if this repartee, which was wisely omitted from the script, rang in the ears of James Brolin, who reënacted the same scene, with a British accent and a touch of aplomb, for his screen test, in 1982.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of repartee

Noun

At least Scrooge’s nephew Fred (Sam Claflin) has a decency that registers and his wife (Daisy Ridley) even manages one of the film’s genuine laughs.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026
Who wants a pregnant woman on (laughs) the cover of a magazine?

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

Hudson showed some subtle support for the jesting knocks to her boyfriend by reposting a clip of his final joke shared on Fox News' official X page.

— Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
No matter what happened, Dunham could not seem to help posting through it, her public persona one of infinite jesting confession.

— Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026

Definition of jesting

Noun

Thompson said these decisions are a give-and-take for schools facing money troubles and teacher shortages, and there are often no perfect options.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
As the month unfolds, however, a friend group or team effort may require more give-and-take than you’re used to, let alone comfortable with.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of give-and-take

Browse Nearby Words

badges

badinage

badland

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“Badinage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badinage. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of badinage

noun

Example Sentences

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