JEST Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

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

jest 1 of 2

noun

ˈjest

Definition of jest

as in fun

an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously you should know that our teasing was done entirely in jest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in joke

something said or done to cause laughter laughed politely at his feeble jest about his pet mosquito

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as in prank

a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke putting a mouse in her desk drawer was intended to be a harmless jest

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as in fool

a person or thing that is made fun of his outlandish costumes made him the jest of the town

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jest

2 of 2

verb

as in to joke

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

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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

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 jest

Noun

Sellner positioned the memes as something that could be taken in jest. — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026 Rich Polk—Getty Images Glaser teased Leonardo DiCaprio about dating much younger women, which is a frequent jest made about the dating life of the One Battle After Another star. — Melissa Locker, Time, 12 Jan. 2026

Verb

Language There’s some crude language, jesting, and mature comedic themes, but but nothing the modern tween or teen hasn’t seen or heard before. — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Dec. 2025 And his sense of humor douses jest over images that probably shouldn’t be funny. — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for jest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jest

Noun

For another fun twist on ice-queen glam, take a cue from Zara Larsson and pile on the shimmery silver-white shadow accented with rhinestones in lieu of snowflakes, or perhaps a fresh platinum blonde hair color à la Serena Williams.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Nov. 2026
But even the hardest-to-please folks are usually thrilled with a techy gift that makes their life easier, more convenient or just more fun.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of fun

Noun

As Dave Chappelle takes backlash for a joke at Charlie Kirk‘s expense, the late Turning Point USA founder’s widow has responded.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026
This all happened after years in which the President and the Vice-President have deployed racist epithets, jokes, and myths.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

The play changed the momentum of the game and in many ways paved the path for the Panthers’ third consecutive loss and the Broncos’ fifth consecutive win.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2026
And what’s most fascinating is the contrast in the execution of the play when the Chiefs tried it a year ago.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of play

Noun

At least Scrooge’s nephew Fred (Sam Claflin) has a decency that registers and his wife (Daisy Ridley) even manages one of the film’s genuine laughs.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026
Who wants a pregnant woman on (laughs) the cover of a magazine?

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

As the audience applauded, Stewart launched into his joking eulogy.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of joking

Noun

But the game was never in reach in that final frame for the Bulls, who are now 1-9 and winless at home.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Utilizing their seventh different starting lineup through the team’s first 11 games of the season, the Magic only had 10 players available against the Jazz in the second game of a back-to-back on Wednesday night.

— Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of game

Noun

As the title promises, YouTube-esque explainer videos featuring four gunmen in wolf masks bring the tips and tricks of bank robbing to a legion of online followers.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
Candy is dandy as a Halloween treat, but what the kids really wanted this year were the clicker keychains columnist Donna Vickroy included in her trick-or-treat bucket.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of trick

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“Jest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jest. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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