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 Patricia lined up Reese as a joker defender, which is a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher who can play on the edge or move inside to spy on the quarterback or contain opposing running backs. — Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026 After months bandying about the term joker to describe his team’s need for a matchup-threat pass-catcher, Sean Payton sat with the media at the NFL owners’ meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, last year and confirmed Denver had gotten its guy. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026 Students are required to bring two full decks of cards including the jokers. — Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026 Mas, though, does have a joker in his deck. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 23 Jan. 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
  • The superstar couple wed in a ceremony on July 3, which was officiated by actor and comedian Adam Sandler, a representative for Swift confirmed to ABC News at the time.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Harvey is a comedian and satirist who, as Count Binface, has run against three prime ministers in the past decade.
    — Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 10 July 2026
Definition of comedian
Noun
  • Perhaps most astonishingly, the movie manages to make creepy clowns — that shopworn trope — genuinely frightening again.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • The group demonstrated near the Washington Monument and was met by a few counter protestors, one of which played clown music throughout the majority of the demonstration.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of clown
Noun
  • Danny has an entire party so that the guys can mourn the loss of his manhood.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 July 2026
  • Unlike most sagas about band couples — Sonny & Cher, Fleetwood Mac — these guys don’t go down in flames musically or personally.
    — Marisa Fox, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
Definition of guy
Noun
  • Their receiver’s probably never seen an actual hitch put into it.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 9 July 2026
  • Before every project hits the factory floor, a computer analysis calculates every cut and sorts out unforeseen hitches that can bring traditional projects to a halt such as conflicts between plumbing lines and bearing walls, Glenn said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of hitch
Noun
  • Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice.
    — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026
  • For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.
    — Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026
Definition of jerk
Noun
  • During the haul-out from April through August, in the Tasmanian winter, elephant seals will gather and interact with each other – especially young males who play-fight and spar.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District released 144,000 sterile male mosquitoes in Rosemont on Tuesday to combat the invasive Aedes aegypti population.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of male
Noun
  • By applying sunscreen before heading outdoors, reapplying throughout the day and pairing it with other forms of sun protection, Mercer said people can reduce their risk of sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer.
    — Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Stock market offerings worth $50 billion could flood the Indian markets this year, though the continuation of the Iran war remains a key risk.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • Sit, who went by the first name Tony, operated Happy K9 Academy and the dogs were in his care when they were kept in crates in a hot van and died, the district attorney’s office said.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • When an Instagram video with nearly 100 million views likened his appearance to a green onion — its wiry roots standing in as his hair — Haaland responded in the comments with a side-eyeing dog GIF.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 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 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on joker

Nglish: Translation of joker for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about joker

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