fun 1 of 3

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

3
4

fun

3 of 3

verb

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fun people
friendly people
cool people
happy people
festive people
fun appetizers
yummy appetizers
delicious appetizers
tasty appetizers
fancy appetizers
creative appetizers
fun neighborhoods
quirky neighborhoods
lively neighborhoods
trendy neighborhoods
charming neighborhoods
cool neighborhoods

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
It’s been really fun being able to see us in different ways and honestly different clothes even (Laughs). Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2025 Different shades of ambient lighting add a superfluous but fun luxury characteristic. James Raia, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Noun
That's not long enough to earn the cachet of other performance sub-brands, like BMW's M or Mercedes-Benz's AMG, but N has certainly developed a reputation for fun, attainable, and powder-blue cars. Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025 Most multitools are rectangular, but why should that one shape get to have all the fun? Ben Coxworth july 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fun
Adjective
  • For two-thirds of the day, as the peloton rolled through Brittany, the majority of soundbites ranged from frivolous to downright amusing.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The scene was more amusing than threatening — onlookers whipped out cell phone cameras to document the sight of horses traversing the grounds.
    Jim Newton, Mercury News, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Food trucks, chef demonstrations, live entertainment and educational programming from community partners are some of the activities offered.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • This information including any specific securities mentioned is for educational, entertainment and illustrative purposes only and not a recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell any individual security.
    David Thomas, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Amenities: Free on-site parking, restaurant, rooftop bar, gym, pool and kid’s pool, beach access, dedicated kid’s play area Editor’s tip: Don’t miss the sourdough breads and pastries baked fresh every morning courtesy of the hotel’s new bakery in town, Red Jane.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • That was followed by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) by Washington D.C., which offers 43 restaurants to choose from, one play area, five breastfeeding stations, and rentable strollers.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The magic lives where relaxation meets radical questions.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Several studies suggest that showers provide fertile ground for relaxation and free association—keys for creativity.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The bus driver heard the commotion, pulled over and told everyone to get off.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 July 2025
  • Despite the commotion and all the onlookers, Monica does not recall anyone else trying to break up the altercation.
    Colson Thayer, People.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • There were a lot of pranks, joking and just overall funny stuff that went on behind the scenes in or around the lunchroom.
    Corky Carroll, Oc Register, 11 July 2025
  • But whether with Felix or on her own, Jessica is a bit all over the map, with her behavior frequently feeling like it’s meant to meet the needs of a particular scene or joke rather than as a consistent throughline for the season.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The comeback was nearly completed with the final kick of the game, but Marcel Sabitzer’s 99th-minute shot was saved impressively by Thibaut Courtois, much to the delight of many of the 76,611 fans at MetLife Stadium.
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
  • That gave San Francisco a 5-1 lead, much to the delight of the thousands of Giants fans present at the intimate minor league park.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Players can be added or subtracted between now and the game, but that doesn't mean some players weren't snubbed from the original rosters.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • The Padres began spring training believing Darvish would join Michael King and Dylan Cease atop a rotation that could help win plentiful games in the regular season and successfully navigate postseason series.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fun. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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