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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in clown
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
just ignore that joker and his rude comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
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Recent Examples of joker
Kenneth’s father Sven invented the joker lap, while the power couple’s two sons, Timmy and Kevin, are both accomplished offroad racers.
—
James Morris, Forbes.com, 3 Jan. 2026
So Porter is now the guy the State Police have supposedly doing a deep dive on the clowns, grifters and assorted gender-bending jokers that Maura Healey hands six-figure hack sinecures to — judicial nominees, college presidents, the heads of the veterans’ homes, etc.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 29 Nov. 2025
The player’s winning cards were a 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen and a joker acting as a king — all in clubs.
—Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
These jokers in Indianapolis acting the fool.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for joker
James Morris, Forbes.com, 3 Jan. 2026
So Porter is now the guy the State Police have supposedly doing a deep dive on the clowns, grifters and assorted gender-bending jokers that Maura Healey hands six-figure hack sinecures to — judicial nominees, college presidents, the heads of the veterans’ homes, etc.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 29 Nov. 2025
The player’s winning cards were a 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen and a joker acting as a king — all in clubs.
—Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
These jokers in Indianapolis acting the fool.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for joker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joker
Noun
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The 66-year-old comedian tells PEOPLE that performing with the late actress on Whose Line Is It Anyway?—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
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Bamford is a stand-up beloved by other performers, and her show features no small number of comedians in cameo roles.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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When Feld Entertainment unveiled a new edition of the circus with much fanfare in 2023, the only animal in it was a mechanical robot dog and while there was some comedy, traditional circus clowns were not a part of it.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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In Nuremberg,Göring is closer to a sad clown than to a monster.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Although Reese is the favorite to be chosen second overall, Styles is a plug-and-play guy who could have more of an impact on a Jets defense that needs an influx of talent.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Both ballot measures failed, but post-election analysis showed that both counties pulled off all-mail balloting without much of a hitch or any challenge to its procedures or validity.—
ORLANDO SENTINEL AND MIAMI HERALD EDITORIAL BOARDS,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The second test went off without a hitch in 2019.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Eagles had in mind city-dwelling male breadwinners and excluded household and domestic work from their vision of who was among the deserving.—
Trevor Jackson,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Two groups — six females with two guides, and another group of three males with two guides — had decided to combine for the return to the trailhead at the Castle Peak Snowpark on Donner Summit, according to the report.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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So the San Francisco Bay Area resident went back to a family recipe and decided to take a risk, with a whisk.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The notion of compliance as an interconnected system aligns with broader trends in risk management.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Dear Jay Norvell, try not to be a complete @#$&%# jerk.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Dishes like jerk chicken and rice and beans cooked in coconut milk reflect the region’s deep Jamaican and British colonial influences that are distinctive from other parts of Costa Rica.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The actual scene of the Denny’s Plan, in which Clark visits a famously gay Denny’s while on a work trip in Chicago to entice a fine young gentleman to meet up with Floyd as Tiger Tiger, is where Bateman really shines this week.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
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There has been firm and widespread pushback at reports that there is a gentleman’s agreement that Tonali can leave, while Howe has spoken about their tight relationship.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Joker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joker. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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