Definition of jesternext
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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 That said, Katie Holmes makes a compelling case for classic-meets-court jester as a modern twist on the old argyle sweater routine. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026 In this third installment, Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) is still shaken from her last run-in with Art, but the demonic jester has returned for more murder just in time for Christmas — and he's got a sidekick (Samantha Scaffidi). Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025 Even the slightly unsettling bronzes and jester pencil drawings by Mieko Yuki were still on display. Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025 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, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jester
Noun
  • On Friday, May 22, the 51-year-old comedian started off her Memorial Day weekend by documenting her progress in the gym.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
  • The show, which taped in New York City’s Chelsea Studios, was fronted by Shepherd, actor-comedian and former The View co-host, debuting on Fox stations in September 2022 as a replacement for The Wendy Williams Show, after its eponym exited her show amid health concerns.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Trying to control such speech or sanitize any possibility of offense, disagreement, or discomfort, will be a fool’s errand in a diverse democracy.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • The king, the fool — there are so many parallels for me.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • The woman’s one visible breast is, surprisingly, nearly flat, but her nipple is round and oversized and rosy, like a Christmas-tree ornament or a clown’s rubber nose.
    Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
  • Someone dressed up as a clown and made balloon animals for kids at the shelter.
    Pauline Bartolone, NPR, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Common Pests and Diseases Broccoli plants can be damaged by common insect pests, like caterpillars, aphids, flea beetles, and harlequin bugs, says Minter.
    Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026
  • For brassicas, watch for cabbage worms, flea beetles, and harlequin bugs.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Clooney might be known as the joker of the two.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
  • Like any public hearing, there were a few jokers who had some strange outbursts, but the majority of the over a dozen speakers weren’t satisfied with Gower’s presentation and used their times to ask questions of the owners as to what has taken so long with this project.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jester. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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