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as in fool
a person formerly kept in a royal or noble household to amuse with jests and pranks the king called for some much-needed entertainment from his jester

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 jester Ronald McDonald would beg to differ, although this assertion was made a full 40 years before the hamburger harlequin would supplant Bozo as America’s most beloved parti-colored jester. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Jerry O'Connell and his daughters, Dolly and Charlie, have a good scream with twisted jesters at Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights on Sept.5. Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 Pugs is dressed like a jester, poor kid. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 If there’s an argument for chucking reason to the wind and just enjoying the vibes, then the experimental musician Moses Sumney, as the jester Feste, is best at making it. Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jester
Noun
  • The comedian, who performed on the sketch show from 2008 until 2017, offered his two cents on the recent cast shakeup during an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The experience of working alongside his parents helped shape Ben as an actor and comedian.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Since medieval times, the colorful fool—from court jesters to Shakespeare’s characters—has used playful wit to critique authority and buffoonery to whip up excitement.
    Time, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t let the record fool you – Timber Creek is a competitive opponent that has faced a rough schedule.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This guy might be single-handedly responsible for generations of people having an irrational fear of clowns.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike past attempts at fictionalizing his life, Macmanus barely touches on the fact that Gacy had a hobby of dressing up like a clown, and doesn’t show any actual murders in the series.
    Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Pity the poor actor who has to co-star opposite a 150-pound harlequin Great Dane.
    Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The player’s winning cards were a 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen and a joker acting as a king — all in clubs.
    Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
  • If Payton doesn’t start shoving this offense through it, the joker’s on Broncos Country.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jester. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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