1
as in laugh
something said or done to cause laughter
he was known for his hilarious jokes
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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
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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
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of joke
Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
Since it was released at the end of 2023, the hulking, angular vehicle has been subject to jokes about its appearance and glares from people who disagree with CEO Elon Musk’s politics.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Palka jokes more than once that I could be baptized at their next ceremony.
—Tara Palmeri, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for joke
Noun
REo launched his career writing jokes for touring comedians before becoming established as a TV writer in the late 1960s and ‘70s.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
Since it was released at the end of 2023, the hulking, angular vehicle has been subject to jokes about its appearance and glares from people who disagree with CEO Elon Musk’s politics.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
Reale joked that he’s been called plenty of derogatory names through the years by surfers in the water competing for waves.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Palka jokes more than once that I could be baptized at their next ceremony.
—Tara Palmeri, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joke
Noun
-
The laughs came thanks to some ace-level hosts.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The cops have a good laugh with her.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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Do not let Fernando Mendoza’s earnestness fool you.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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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
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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
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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
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Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Some of the Catholic and Jewish characters are caricatures, too, but this anonymous ideologue is a bit too understated for someone wanting to conscript another into deadly service and could benefit from the absurdist flair Cash deploys elsewhere.—
Niela Orr,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
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In less careful hands, the role could have collapsed into caricature.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Omar has been the target of many GOP attacks in recent years.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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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
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When Curt Cignetti was hired just more than two years ago, it was considered a smart move by the athletic department, but no one kidded themselves that Indiana was some sort of raucous fan sleeper cell just waiting to be activated.—
Will Leitch,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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There’s an adults-only section and a large, warm pool that kids love.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joke. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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