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 next

as in fun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in fool

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

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 This was all in jest though and while many would object to making homophobia a joke, there didn’t appear to be actual malice behind it, at least from a superficial look. —

Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025

Verb

The big picture: Parody accounts from Mount Rainier and Mount Hood are trading playful taunts and humorous one-upmanship, comparing body counts and jesting about whether size matters. —

Christine Clarridge, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025 While Black jested about the possibility of a sequel in his video, the concept has come up in the past. —

Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for jest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jest

Noun

As polished-glam and old-Hollywood as the references were, there were moments that also felt sleazy and fun in the way that Hollywood in 2007 did, when getting photographed pouring out of a car on the way into the club was a rite of passage and full of its own twisted promise.

— Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
The fun continues with a trip to London, where the Commanders will take on the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 May 2026