joke 1 of 2

noun

ˈjōk How to pronounce joke (audio)
Definition of jokenext
1
as in laugh
something said or done to cause laughter he was known for his hilarious jokes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something her rendition of the national anthem is a joke

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fool
a person or thing that is made fun of having lost his looks and his voice years ago, these days he's just a show business joke and fodder for late-night comedy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

joke

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fun
to make jokes he was known for his ability to joke about his lack of anything resembling a social life

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2
as in to tease
to make fun of in a good-natured way oh, don't get offended, I was just joking you

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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 joke
Noun
The joke no longer appears in the version available on the streaming service. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Smith infamously walked up to Oscars host Chris Rock during the live broadcast of the 2022 event and slapped him across the face after Rock made an unscripted joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
Norwood joked that the episode probably helped Morgan’s ratings. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026 Black compared wearing the mask to a Darth Vader mask and joked about the awkwardness of using it in bed. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joke
  1. laugh
  2. parody
  3. fool
  4. kid
  5. tease
  6. joking
  7. caricature
  8. target
Noun
  • This autumn, there are plenty of comedians rounding the country, all primed to provide you with boundless laughs.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This laugh-out-loud picture book will delight young readers (and anyone else who’d like several hundred puppies).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • That show includes animation and sketches as well as absurdist act-outs and character portraits, like Patel’s parody of one-man shows.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In another sketch, Webb and Olivia Colman parody a makeover show and are confronted by a woman in a burqa.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • Judge Judy star Judith Sheindlin famously does not suffer fools.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
  • An oxpecker in dark plumage and a bright orange bill perched on the crown of the rhino’s head like the king’s fool.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of fool
Verb
  • Pursuing big goals while parenting shows kids the value of hard work and resilience.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 15 Sep. 2026
  • What everyday skills should kids practice before the first week of school?
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of kid
Verb
  • Audrey Niffenegger has long teased the sequel to The Time Traveler’s Wife, featuring Clare and Henry’s Chrono-Displaced daughter Alba and her two husbands—Oliver, a time traveler like her, and Zach, existing in linear time.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Projections of silhouettes walking across the walls teased the upcoming show for roughly half an hour as guests were seated in their corresponding sections.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, at lunch, instead of separating into groups to eat, all 16 participants form one mega table and spend the half-hour joking and laughing together.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of joking
Noun
  • But Iñárritu’s caricatures become people in a way Kubrick’s don’t; as the bewildered President, for example, John Goodman is simultaneously grounded and theatrical in his presentation, recalling his best work with the Coen brothers.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of digging into the details of personality and circumstance — this school has a specific class for Shakespeare and also English teachers who are literature-hating caricatures?
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of caricature
Noun
  • Depending on the system and target, the heat can damage sensors, electronics, structural components or other critical parts.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Western military officers have said key military installations in Kaliningrad would be a likely first target should Russia ever launch an attack on any NATO ally.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of target

Phrases Containing joke

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jointures
joke
joked
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Cite this Entry

“Joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joke. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on joke

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about joke

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