joker

noun

ˈjō-kər How to pronounce joker (audio)
Definition of jokernext
1
as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor he's the joker of the family, always making us laugh

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2
as in clown
a person whose behavior is offensive to others just ignore that joker and his rude comments

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in guy
an adult male human being sat at the bar next to some poor joker who had just lost his job

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4
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized read the contract carefully before signing to make sure there aren't any jokers

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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 joker Arnetra and her sister, Akiva, described Darius as a joker, always striving to bring joy to those around him. — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 David May was the joker in the team; Paul Scholes was the silent assassin, sat there at the back, throwing comments. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Clooney might be known as the joker of the two. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026 Like any public hearing, there were a few jokers who had some strange outbursts, but the majority of the over a dozen speakers weren’t satisfied with Gower’s presentation and used their times to ask questions of the owners as to what has taken so long with this project. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for joker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joker
  1. comedian
  2. clown
  3. guy
  4. hitch
  5. jerk
  6. male
  7. risk
  8. dog
Noun
  • While chatting about his new horror-comedy, Buddy, the 55-year-old actor-comedian also shared his first remarks about the upcoming sequel to the 1997 cult classic starring Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Seething at his dad for poking at his body insecurities, the comedian dealt with his emotions like any good millennial — by podcasting about it.
    — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of comedian
Noun
  • Target recently received backlash for 'offensive' Halloween costume This comes on the heels of Target apologizing in late August for a Halloween circus clown costume that critics said appeared to conjure Blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Cam Schlittler, no stranger to Boston beef, used an emoji to call Flemming a clown on an Instagram post.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of clown
Noun
  • At the time, Tiafoe was the most talented 10-year-old there, the son of the head maintenance guy, Constant Tiafoe, who had fled civil war in Sierra Leone with his wife.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Heavy curtain up; the moaning of sentimental strings; lights rising on some wedges and rectangles of scenery, guys and girls, the guys practically naked save for bits and pieces of neo-Greek get-up.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of guy
Noun
  • Swing trailer-hitch bike rack this summer and absolutely loved it.
    — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
  • All else went without a hitch at the show, which also featured a walk-on from crown holders from years past.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hitch
Noun
  • The novel also takes an unsentimental look at Jamaica, a country that, let the Sandals ads tell it, is mostly pristine beaches, jerk chicken, and Bob Marley’s One Love on a perpetual loop.
    — Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Ars OpenForum is a place for readers to ask questions, compare notes, argue (without being jerks to each other), and go down all sorts of rabbit holes.
    — Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of jerk
Noun
  • Defense attorney Kevin Reddington repeatedly referred to the unnamed juror as a male inside and outside court.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Females are also far more likely than males to be illiterate, go hungry, be victims of human trafficking, or be murdered by a family member.
    — Gloria Steinem, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of male
Noun
  • The risks were low, and yet Karyann is fast becoming famous for what came next.
    — Lenore Skenazy, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The expectation is that, with the SAFER barrier, cars will slide along it in an accident, reducing the risk of the car ending up bouncing back onto the racing line.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • My therapy dog and I accompanied grieving families to ground zero in the days following the attacks.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Above and below the main narrative of the Bayeux Tapestry are two strips filled with ancient beasts, including tail-chasing dogs and tightly knotted swans.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of dog

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Cite this Entry

“Joker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joker. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on joker

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about joker

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