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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 His Nineties art-punk jesters Lifter Puller never made a ripple outside the Twin Cities. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025 Instead of cars on Marshall Street, attendees will find more than 75 artisans and performers — including a fairy trading post, storytellers and a court jester — and a mead pop-up bar. Karri Peifer, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 Bailey, deft and playful, chooses to be his own antic, a droll and often hostile jester. Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025 Tonight, these jesters are turned into rock stars in the heart of Midtown. Eric Francisco, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jester
Noun
  • For Stalter, a stand-up comedian who became a go-to scene stealer on Hacks, Too Much proved to be an unexpected gift from Dunham, who wrote the female protagonist with Stalter’s voice in mind after discovering her videos on TikTok.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
  • If nothing else, the comedians remain united by a common goal.
    Daniel Brown, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • President Trump has repeatedly called Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell stupid, terrible, a fool, and referred to him as a person of average mentality.
    Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • That fool’s from my family’s hometown over there in Mexico.
    Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • An evil clown turned serial killer who terrorizes a fictional New York City borough during Halloween and Christmas will join a maniacal lineup of murderers, mutants and monsters during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 10 July 2025
  • White-stripe nails Circus-stripe nails Just like a striped Big Top tent, this circus set is complete with stars and clowns.
    Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 9 July 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
  • Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Yet Mitchell Robinson, ever the joker, can’t make up his mind.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
  • Hayden Christensen as Jake Hill Conley Hayden Christensen played Jake Hill Conley, another neighborhood boy known for being a practical joker.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jester. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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