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jester

noun

ˈje-stər How to pronounce jester (audio)
Definition of jesternext
1
as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor a gentle jester, the cartoonist more often tries to evoke a broad smile than a hearty guffaw

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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 In his brief time in WWE, Danhausen has already haunted (and defeated) the league’s former court-jester extraordinaire, The Miz (Miz, I’d argue, is the better in-ring performer), as well as YouTuber IShowSpeed, (Chad) Gable, Dominik Mysterio and Kit Wilson. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 Her fans come for the jester-like antics and spectacle onstage. — Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026 On freedom of opinion, on freedom of the press, on freedom of satire, on jesters’ freedom. — ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026 No one wants to be a jester, debasing oneself for a more powerful person’s amusement. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jester
  1. comedian
  2. fool
  3. clown
  4. harlequin
  5. joker
Noun
  • The author is a Canadian American writer-producer-comedian-dash-over-user who lives (and sometimes spars) with her husband and daughter in the Valley.
    — Johanna Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The comedian and performer has long excavated his Midwestern roots for his stand-up.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of comedian
Noun
  • Set the scene Upon entering, don't let the grandiose, atrium-esque, white-marbled lobby fool you into thinking there's an ounce of formality or stuffiness here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Anhor The Great had so many pass breakups that counting would’ve been a fool’s errand.
    — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Target recently received backlash for 'offensive' Halloween costume This comes on the heels of Target apologizing in late August for a Halloween circus clown costume that critics said appeared to conjure Blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Cam Schlittler, no stranger to Boston beef, used an emoji to call Flemming a clown on an Instagram post.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of clown
Noun
  • Colorado potato beetles target potato plants, while harlequin beetles do damage to brassica family plants like kale, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 3 June 2026
  • For the event, Kaling donned a strapless Elie Saab gown covered in crystal embroidery, which included a harlequin pattern and a sheer skirt.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 May 2026
Definition of harlequin
Noun
  • The smart kids, the shy ones, the jokers and the loners — every one of them is caught in the pyroclastic flow of adolescence, every minute a negotiation between fitting in and standing out.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The jokers Toth and Jackson, bless them, keep things endearing and funny.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of joker

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jester
jesters
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Cite this Entry

“Jester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jester. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on jester

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jester

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