game 1 of 2

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2
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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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game

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adjective

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

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 game
Noun
That's just 1/2 game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the best mark in baseball. Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 The Americans dropped their seventh of their last eight games against opposition ranked in the top 30. Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Inter Miami players Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles, and Seattle Sounders staff member Steven Lenhart, received multiple game suspensions from the 2026 Leagues Cup as punishment for their behavior during a post-game brawl following Sunday’s Leagues Cup final. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 In a video from the post-game celebration, TCU senior safety Bud Clark trolled the rookie college football coach — and his off-the-field partner, Jordon Hudson. Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for game
Noun
  • After that, Alcaraz brought the hammer down with his otherwise impenetrable delivery, which was broken only three times across the tournament.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But Sunday’s final was a reminder that a whole tournament is a heavy weight for any two players to carry — even Sinner and Alcaraz.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Seeking professional guidance early is key so that strategies can be examined and coordinated effectively.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Wasserman, the committee's chairman, directed the council to suggest a new distribution strategy for the committee to review in December.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That’s not to mention all of the other related businesses that have thrived on semiconductor plays as AI-specific GPUs and other tools emerge.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Pittman is referring to the 6-4 left-hander Austin Simmons, who suffered a left ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Ole Miss’ 30-23 win last week at Kentucky to open league play.
    Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • According to a news release, the annual award honors and recognizes teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession as well as those who leave a lasting positive impact on their students.
    Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • His jubilation that a serial killer might be loose in town is a familiar, and perhaps accurate, journalistic trope—bad for the world; good for the media—but not one that reflects well on the profession.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Other Notable Winners NBC’s Saturday Night Live earned recognition beyond its anniversary special, taking home three technical awards in areas like set design, lighting, and sound.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The plaintiffs argued the displacement was motivated by a desire to limit readers' access to books with viewpoints that are unpopular and controversial in the area.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • How to style Wear your Janes with classic, relaxed-fitting barrel jeans and a rugby shirt for a polished, preppy look that's travel-ready.
    Amber Cardullo, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • And Miami’s freshman class gave glimpses of how much more the Hurricanes may be ready to improve during their 45-3 rout of Bethune-Cookman at Hard Rock Stadium.
    Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The fourth season will be played from June 18-July 18, 2026, the preferred slot in the calendar for MLC with not much competition from other domestic leagues.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The number of local homes put up for sale soared, boosting competition among sellers.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At least one former candidate – Kansas City attorney Stacy Lake, who lost to White in the Democratic primary for County Executive in 2022 – has announced plans to run at that point.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The bulk of his cases are reviews involving the major Medicaid plans in Ohio.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/game. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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