Synonyms of game

game 1 of 2

noun

ˈgām 

1

as in tournament

a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize

decided he would indulge in a friendly basketball game with his friends before dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tournament
• competition
• event
• match
• championship
• contest
• sport
• tourney
• matchup
• bout
• meet
• sweepstakes
• battle
• skirmish
• race
• athletics
• semifinal
• scrimmage
• derby
• tug-of-war
• final
• struggle
• outing
• tussle
• marathon
• play-off
• conflict
• open
• round
• gymkhana
• pentathlon
• triathlon
• field day
• biathlon
• national(s)
• decathlon
• runoff
• heat
• volley
• rubber
• nightcap
• round-robin
• ultramarathon
• rally
• seesaw
• heptathlon
• set
• classic
• run
• sudden death
• dead heat
• photo finish

2

as in strategy

a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

the crook told his accomplice, "Here's the game: look surprised when the police ask about the money"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strategy
• plan
• blueprint
• program
• project
• system
• design
• scheme
• arrangement
• game plan
• master plan
• proposal
• road map
• ground plan
• way
• recipe
• idea
• procedure
• plot
• device
• gambit
• technique
• purpose
• collusion
• intention
• tactic
• intent
• maneuver
• conspiracy
• map
• stratagem
• means
• subterfuge
• ruse
• policy
• aim
• trick
• protocol
• platform
• conception
• setup
• contrivance
• formula
• layout
• counterstrategy
• pattern
• counterplan
• diagram
• specific(s)
• projet
• specification(s)

3

as in play

an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously

there's no need to get upset, all our teasing is only a game

Synonyms & Similar Words

• play
• fun
• sport
• silliness
• jest
• frivolity
• levity
• flippancy
• facetiousness
• frivolousness
• flightiness
• light-mindedness
• frothiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• earnest
• gravity
• seriousness
• earnestness
• sobriety
• solemnity
• soberness

4

as in profession

the activity by which one regularly makes a living

stand-up comedy is his game, and he's one of a handful of people making a decent living at it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• profession
• work
• vocation
• occupation
• line
• employment
• calling
• trade
• job
• mission
• business
• task
• duty
• living
• place
• lay
• livelihood
• art
• assignment
• field
• enterprise
• position
• situation
• engagement
• call
• racket
• office
• function
• gig
• craft
• post
• load
• lifework
• workload
• handicraft
• appointment
• handcraft
• métier
• berth
• billet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pursuit
• hobby
• avocation

5

as in area

a region of activity, knowledge, or influence

the education game simply was no longer of interest to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• area
• element
• realm
• field
• department
• walk
• domain
• sphere
• kingdom
• terrain
• arena
• territory
• province
• specialty
• business
• circle
• front
• discipline
• study
• precinct
• line
• firmament
• fief
• subject
• barony
• bailiwick
• demesne
• fiefdom
• profession
• pursuit
• frontier
• confine
• scope
• turf
• racket
• occupation
• vocation
• reach
• sweep
• extent
• compass
• width
• amplitude
• breadth
• subspecialty
• subfield
• ambit
• ken
• dimension(s)

game

2 of 2

adjective

as in ready

having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action)

are you game for going out tonight?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ready
• willing
• glad
• inclined
• minded
• prepared
• cooperative
• disposed
• amenable
• obliging
• excited
• fain
• prone
• favorable
• responsive
• obedient
• compliant
• eager
• receptive
• submissive
• swift
• accommodating
• prompt
• agreeable
• enthusiastic
• quick
• predisposed
• desirous
• enthused

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwilling
• reluctant
• averse
• loath
• reticent
• unamenable
• disinclined

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun game differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of game are fun, jest, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When could fun be used to replace game?

While in some cases nearly identical to game, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

When can jest be used instead of game?

While the synonyms jest and game are close in meaning, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When is play a more appropriate choice than game?

The synonyms play and game are sometimes interchangeable, but play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

When might sport be a better fit than game?

The meanings of sport and game largely overlap; however, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of game

Noun

Sure, Mahomes did enough Monday night to dispel any concerns about a drop-off in his game. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Tkachuk, who turned 27 on Wednesday, spent his entire NHL career with Ottawa prior to the trade, producing 463 points (213 goals, 250 assists) over 572 games in eight seasons. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Adjective

But Nico Iamaleava returned for the Bruins’ final two drives and confirmed his health during the post-game press conference. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

Ahead of kickoff on Friday, Butker was spotted with a tape measure on the sideline, which is part of his pre-game routine. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing game

• ball game
• game plan
• name of the game
• shell game