as in joking
marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing
made jesting comments about my need for serious fashion advice
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in joke
good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
lots of laughter and elbow-nudging jesting at family reunions
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in bantering
to make jokes
when I asked my sister for a loan, she laughingly replied, "Surely you jest!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of jesting
Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Dec. 2025
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
Language There’s some crude language, jesting, and mature comedic themes, but but nothing the modern tween or teen hasn’t seen or heard before.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
So much so that a cheeky George Clooney let loose a certain four-letter word while jesting about a fellow actor.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jesting
Noun
-
Episodes are a blend of political analysis, jokes that test the boundaries of good taste, and interviews with high-profile guests.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
-
General catastrophizing Some people are naturally prone to anxiety and overthinking everything—like a work typo, or a throwaway joke that now feels catastrophic.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Obama dismissed those rumors, joking that if aliens existed and were being concealed, even the president was not in on it.—
Adisa Hargett-Robinson,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
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The night had begun with Evangelos Marinakis laughing and joking on the touchline with injured defender Murillo.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But pull her away from the TV cameras, photographers and the prying eyes of the world, and her sarcastic-bordering-on-vulgar sense of humor bubbles to the surface.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Liu asked with a sarcastic scoff and giggle.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its cast is exactly the sprightly ensemble needed to land its what-if laughs.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Uma said, her ominous laugh ending the movie.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2021
-
French’s evocation of place, a rural way of life and overall creepiness are superb, as is the dialogue, a festival of Irish raillery and repartee.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
14 Oct. 2020
Noun
-
The 1% Club has leant heavily on comedian hosts around the world, with the likes of Mack, McHale and Jefferies bringing wit and banter to proceedings, although Connock stressed that new territories can think beyond comics when considering hosts.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The friendly banter quickly made headlines, with many wondering about the joke's legitimacy.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Each bus has a pair of hosts, whose badinage is corny but crowd-pleasing.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Noun
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Instead of witty repartee or slick delivery, expect genuineness, a generosity of spirit, and a feeling of being nurtured and taken care of.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
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Instead, the most memorable moments are the witty, fast-blazing literary repartee in the first act and the excellent, multidimensional performances by the show’s three actors: Geoffrey Ulysses Geissinger, Ibraheem Farmer and Jamaelya Hines.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jesting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jesting. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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