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jest

Q: How does the noun 'jest' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jest are fun , game , play , and sport . While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing. // hurt by remarks said only in jest

Q: In what contexts can 'fun' take the place of 'jest'?

Although the words fun and jest have much in common, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose. // played cards just for fun

Q: How are the words 'game' and 'sport' related as synonyms of 'jest'?

Game is close to sport , and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun. // made game of their poor relations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'play' instead of 'jest'?

The words play and jest can be used in similar contexts, but play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief. // pretended to strangle his brother in play

Q: When could 'sport' be used to replace 'jest'?

The words sport and jest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone. // teasing begun in sport led to anger

noun

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Synonyms & Antonyms of jest

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously

you should know that our teasing was done entirely in jest

Synonyms for jest

Words Related to jest

Near Antonyms for jest

Antonyms for jest

earnest

2 something said or done to cause laughter

laughed politely at his feeble jest about his pet mosquito

Synonyms for jest

boff
(or boffo),
boffola,
crack,
drollery,
funny,
gag,
giggle
[chiefly British],
jape,
joke,
josh,
laugh,
nifty,
one-liner,
pleasantry,
quip,
rib,
sally,
waggery,
wisecrack,
witticism,
yuk
(or yuck also yak or yock)
[slang]

Words Related to jest

3 a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke

putting a mouse in her desk drawer was intended to be a harmless jest

Synonyms for jest

Words Related to jest

skylarking

4 a person or thing that is made fun of

his outlandish costumes made him the jest of the town

Synonyms for jest

Words Related to jest

Near Antonyms for jest

jest

verb

Synonyms of jest (Entry 2 of 2)

to make jokes

when I asked my sister for a loan, she laughingly replied, "Surely you jest!"

Synonyms for jest

banter,
chaff,
fool,
fun,
gag,
jape,
jive,
joke,
jolly,
josh,
kid,
quip,
wisecrack,
yuk
(or yuck)
[slang]

Words Related to jest

gibe
(or jibe),
haze,
jeer,
mock,
rag,
rally,
razz,
rib,
ridicule,
tease

Phrases Synonymous with jest

crack wise

Frequently Asked Questions About jest

How does the noun jest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jest are fun, game, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

In what contexts can fun take the place of jest?

Although the words fun and jest have much in common, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How are the words game and sport related as synonyms of jest?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When is it sensible to use play instead of jest?

The words play and jest can be used in similar contexts, but play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

When could sport be used to replace jest?

The words sport and jest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

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