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

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 joke
Noun
Each features a kid-friendly pun and joke for a fun surprise every day. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026 Have each family member jot down a few happy thoughts, jokes, or silly notes on small slips of paper and place them in the jar. — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
The beverage brands Liquid Death and Garage Beer teamed up to create the ad, which features former NFL player Jason Kelce joking about using people’s pee to cool the AI data centers. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026 Trump had some of the construction workers sign the granite, too, and joked about leaving it upside-down so that his signature would be visible for future generations. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 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
  • Gone was the terror of wondering if the piece that was about to air was going to get big enough laughs from the live audience.
    — Merrill Markoe, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But that blend of raucous laughs (OK, well, some raucous laughs, some mere attempts at them) and real world concerns makes for an uneasy watch, ping-ponging between moods and tones in unpredictable ways.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • These polyester fits have also been parodied in video skits, where comedians put on an all-over polyester print outfit, like a wolf T-shirt and galaxy pants, and parody the stereotypical nerdy kid.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The series, which featured elaborate original musical numbers ranging from Broadway parodies to pop pastiches, earned Bloom a Golden Globe for best actress in a television comedy or musical as well as an Emmy and Critics’ Choice Award.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • Many of the most viral videos that are part of the trend also play with social power dynamics by having the creator make a fool of someone who may be older, male or even their boss — further evidence of how social media use is changing online.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Sho Fujita, Burroughs, running back, senior Don’t let the 5-foot-6 size fool you.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of fool
Verb
  • What everyday skills should kids practice before the first week of school?
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Running under the surface of the film is the anxiety that kids his age are lucky to secure any job, even one as low-paying and exploitative as Erika’s studio assistant.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of kid
Verb
  • There was a few months of speculation that Grande and Álvarez had reunited, with Grande coyly teasing their coupledom.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The launch is the inaugural step in Shiseido’s bigger strategy of building a credible reputation in fragrances for Max Mara, as executives teased other launches are on the way.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • Back in December 1968, Dolan wrote a joking column about the earlier Lake Worth monster, from way back in 1947.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
Definition of joking
Noun
  • At the same time, neither Marija nor Vytas is ever reduced to a caricature.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
  • She’s given a worthy avatar in Mason, who brings an appropriately surreal understanding to the goings-on in Effie’s life, but never turns Effie into a caricature.
    — Charles Lewis III, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of caricature
Noun
  • Ukraine has developed an arsenal of long-range drones and its own cruise missiles which are being used against a widening array of targets inside Russia.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Upon being notified of a Ukrainian vehicle, the operator can verify the target and determine the best way to engage it, including by calling for artillery fire or directing a strike drone against the vehicle.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of target

Phrases Containing joke

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Cite this Entry

“Joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joke. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on joke

Nglish: Translation of joke for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about joke

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