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
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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Alex Duong, a comedian, writer and actor based in Los Angeles, has died at the age of 42.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Bushnell has become Hartford’s big room for top-rank stand-up comedians.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Three years have passed since the stadium-sized clown show of the duo’s last record, 10,000 gecs, and Brady’s been feverishly cooking up unlikely collaborations and solo material.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
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Christopher Kosakowski, United States, 2025 A circus clown celebrating his birthday alone receives a mysterious gift box harboring an antique zoetrope that spins his world into mayhem.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But Hubert Davis was ultimately not the right guy to lead the UNC basketball program.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
You guys keep putting that crap out there.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This led to serious concerns from some quarters, with science popularizer Michio Kaku among the leaders of the protests demanding the launch be scrubbed, but Cassini–Huygens' went ahead without a hitch, as have all the subsequent RTG missions.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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Notably in 2011, the first deployment of the GCC’s Peninsula Shield Force to Bahrain, with Saudi and UAE forces entering the kingdom at the behest of the government, seemed to go off without a hitch.—
Hadley Gamble,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Among respondents, 50% identified as male and 48% as female, with an average age of 45.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
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Experts assume that the whale is a young male, as males, unlike females, tend to migrate.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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March 21 – April 19 This morning invites playful risks that still feel safe.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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Highlights include crab cakes, Napoleon, jerk chicken and waffles, lobster rolls, Florida Croque Madame, oxtail pasta, coquito French toast, tiramisu and more.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Later the cops guessed that this intoxicated gentleman might have been not Keoma, but a different Cape Verdean.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Farsaad allegedly set fire March 5 to the gentlemen’s club, not named in the news release, causing significant charring, heat and smoke damage to the business, which was closed at the time, according to the district attorney’s office.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Joker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joker. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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