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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of japes
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
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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Formerly a beacon of relative calm among his hometown’s more gonzo street rappers, the Flint upstart packs his latest album with more jokes, quirks, and personality than ever before.—
Matthew Ritchie,
Pitchfork,
23 Feb. 2026
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In drama, because comedy is not currency, everybody’s just cracking jokes all the time.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Just a delightful take on rogue AIs that manages to bring the laughs, while keeping the menace.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
1 Mar. 2026
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Through off-field laughs and on-field competition, the trio grew close.—
Daniel Flick,
AJC.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Japes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/japes. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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