as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter
by the standards of today's no-holds-barred satire, Will Rogers' homespun japes about politicians seem awfully gentle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in jests
to make jokes
the characters in Oscar Wilde's plays jape with a readiness and sophistication that is rarely, if ever, encountered in real life
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of japes
Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
That is when the japes really started, most prominently on a mid-season bonding trip to Barcelona when four players ‘borrowed’ a taxi after a late-night trip to McDonald’s.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Before this fifth season put him closer to the center of the action, Roddy had undoubtedly been a misfit among misfits at Slough House, a desk jockey who would hold court at his computer, issuing snide japes at anyone within earshot.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
Zings, barbs, and japes fly between the two, but the banter soon gives way to grand action set pieces.
—Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
That is when the japes really started, most prominently on a mid-season bonding trip to Barcelona when four players ‘borrowed’ a taxi after a late-night trip to McDonald’s.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Before this fifth season put him closer to the center of the action, Roddy had undoubtedly been a misfit among misfits at Slough House, a desk jockey who would hold court at his computer, issuing snide japes at anyone within earshot.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for japes
Noun
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Did this make Fuentes, Morgan asked, want to reconsider his jokes on the subject?—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Some people embed terms in memes, jokes or ironic commentary.—
Sharlette A. Kellum,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bauers clearly hit the base square in the middle, and the call was quickly overturned, leading to laughs from both managers, the Rays’ Kevin Cash and the Brewers’ Pat Murphy.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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On Broadway, Leon gets the bad laughs.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Japes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/japes. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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