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

3 of 3

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
There are fun bad teams, or teams that at least make a unique bonding experience out of their specific type of misery. Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 12 May 2026 As the school year comes to a close, parents across the country may be starting to plan fun summer trips for the whole family. Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Noun
It's said that nearly 11,000 gallons of water flow down the 60-foot mountain chute per minute, which makes for a fun ride to the pool at the bottom. Talia Avakian, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026 As things heat up in the greater Orlando area, the winter event season winds down while new festivities help the community have fun in the sun. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fun
Adjective
  • And the observations, questions, and assertions in our articles are varying degrees of surprising, insightful, and amusing.
    Vulture Editors, Vulture, 12 May 2026
  • Thankfully, Babitz did exactly that — no rambling thoughts, petty accusations or amusing missives left unsaid.
    Michael Schaub, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • The spa Indoor and outdoor pools here provide extra options for entertainment, and the patio’s sunbeds see a lot of attention, especially on weekends when rates often drop here.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • Throughout her career, the actor has deliberately chosen powerful, complex roles and founded the Geena Davis Institute to combat unconscious bias and increase representation in entertainment.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • His big hit improved the club to 21-6 overall and a perfect 11-0 in league play.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
  • Sox left-hander Noah Schultz was on the mound when play was stopped.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • The Administration’s cowboy capture of the Venezuelan autocrat Nicolás Maduro, on January 3rd, prompted an airspace closure in the Caribbean, stranding many populations, none as humbled as the American tourists, gone to the islands for rest and relaxation over the winter holiday.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • Hot and cold immersion has been linked to reduced inflammation, improved circulation, muscle relaxation and better sleep — outcomes a 60-minute massage cannot match.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • The incident wasn’t the first time Nixon caused a commotion on the House floor over redistricting.
    Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
  • The employees will either be able to reach out to the culprit to quiet things down, or could transfer you to another room if the commotion doesn’t quit.
    Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Other comics, like Jeff Ross and Katt Williams, joked about Hart once attending a Diddy party.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 May 2026
  • Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn and John Ross Bowie event joked about the show’s title, which was a long time coming.
    Peter White, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Walking between Valmiermuiža, Labietis, Taka, and Nurme makes for one of the easiest and most enjoyable beer crawls in Europe.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • Swing bike rack is ergonomically enjoyable and performs well mechanically.
    Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Bourgeois-Tacquet’s elevator pitch — unforeseen circumstances lead Gabrielle, a workaholic 55-year-old surgeon, to question her life choices — isn’t exactly earth-shaking, and the film lacks the propulsive spontaneity that made Anaïs in Love such an off-kilter delight.
    Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
  • On May 12, Colbert sat down with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Pedro Pascal and wound up kissing both of them on the lips to the delight of his studio audience.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fun. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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