1
as in laugh
something said or done to cause laughter
he was known for his hilarious jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Ashley Boucher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
The joke isn’t on the protagonists for feeling justifiable feelings.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
The on-again, off-again couple have been dating for over a decade and have (mostly) worked out the kinks of joking about their relationship in public.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for joke
Noun
Alex picks her up and carries her back to the hotel (but not before making the same Seabiscuit joke as in the book).
—Ashley Boucher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
The joke isn’t on the protagonists for feeling justifiable feelings.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
On the event's red carpet, Hudson joked with USA TODAY about her brother Oliver's claim that Kate is the most competitive in their family.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
The on-again, off-again couple have been dating for over a decade and have (mostly) worked out the kinks of joking about their relationship in public.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joke
Noun
-
The Spartans got the last laugh for now, too, taking both games.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Katz said, feigning familiarity with the leader’s influence and drawing laughs from the audience.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The three-year Off-Broadway hit is a parody of the classic film Titanic, imagining the story as if Celine Dion were narrating it.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Maduro played the song at so many events that Chavistas (or Maduro supporters) began to claim it as pro-Maduro, even though Santana made it as a parody of the president.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Do not let Fernando Mendoza’s earnestness fool you.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
But telling Porsha something in confidence is a fool’s errand.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In August 2025, the company announced plans to enter the automotive sector and teased two concept cars that drew heavy comparisons to the Bugatti Chiron and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Also at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Cyrus teased a potential return to the beloved, wig-wearing character.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
-
Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But in contrast to these common caricatures, surveys of public opinion consistently show that most people around the world hold positive views of wolves, often overwhelmingly so.—
Justin Angle,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Chamberlain also included a drawing of the girls in the group done on a paper tablecloth which included caricatures of Carpenter, Sandoval, Chamberlain and Sarah, as well as Carpenter's friend Amber Mark.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Omar has been the target of many GOP attacks in recent years.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
When Israel launched the surprise war against Iran last summer, the depth of its infiltration became evident when it was revealed that Israeli intelligence agents smuggled weapons into the country and used them to strike high-value targets from within Iranian territory.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There’s an adults-only section and a large, warm pool that kids love.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Literally toxic lesbians — kidding.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joke. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share