as in kidding
marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing
grinned and gave him a joking nudge with my elbow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in funning
to make jokes
he was known for his ability to joke about his lack of anything resembling a social life
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in teasing
to make fun of in a good-natured way
oh, don't get offended, I was just joking you
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in jesting
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of joking
Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
When Peanut pulled his second escape act, his owners knew where to look and handled Peanut's disappearance in a joking manner.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Multiple outlets that examined the reporting identified the claim as unverified and labeled the story a hoax; Colbert had previously made a joking on-air reference to streaming platforms but had not announced any deal with Netflix.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
But while the ads are laugh-out-loud funny, the product is anything but a joking matter.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
No one broke the fourth wall to acknowledge that this was anything other than a deeply theatrical experience — except for Josh Gad’s Herod, with some improvised joking in his one number.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Reid made light of the incident, joking that Kelce caught him off balance.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Clark’s teammate Sophie Cunningham also had fun with the fine, joking on social media about the inconsequential amount.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Samir said, not entirely joking.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
For Wyatt, those times often included silly banter and joking with his grandfather, or the time a packet of hot chocolate exploded in his face.
—Barbie Porter, Twin Cities, 18 Sep. 2025
Robinson wasn’t joking, the charging document alleges.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
In short, the women had a great time playing the games, joking around with each other and enjoying the mild weather at the indoor/outdoor bar.
—Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus praised Jersey girls, joking that the crowd looked better than the one in Buffalo (likely a tour staple), while Hozier introduced Washington Township’s Ryan Connors as his new music director.
—Michele Amabile Angermiller, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Only an Aries, like Lily, can take Barney’s jabs in a joking way.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
When Peanut pulled his second escape act, his owners knew where to look and handled Peanut's disappearance in a joking manner.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Multiple outlets that examined the reporting identified the claim as unverified and labeled the story a hoax; Colbert had previously made a joking on-air reference to streaming platforms but had not announced any deal with Netflix.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
But while the ads are laugh-out-loud funny, the product is anything but a joking matter.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
No one broke the fourth wall to acknowledge that this was anything other than a deeply theatrical experience — except for Josh Gad’s Herod, with some improvised joking in his one number.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
Many users commiserated over the delay, many joking about the United States Postal Service and the mysteries of lost mail.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Reid made light of the incident, joking that Kelce caught him off balance.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Clark’s teammate Sophie Cunningham also had fun with the fine, joking on social media about the inconsequential amount.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Samir said, not entirely joking.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
For Wyatt, those times often included silly banter and joking with his grandfather, or the time a packet of hot chocolate exploded in his face.
—Barbie Porter, Twin Cities, 18 Sep. 2025
Robinson wasn’t joking, the charging document alleges.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
In short, the women had a great time playing the games, joking around with each other and enjoying the mild weather at the indoor/outdoor bar.
—Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus praised Jersey girls, joking that the crowd looked better than the one in Buffalo (likely a tour staple), while Hozier introduced Washington Township’s Ryan Connors as his new music director.
—Michele Amabile Angermiller, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joking
Verb
-
Pat Kelsey wasn't kidding about wanting the smoke.—
Leo Bertucci,
The Courier-Journal,
2 Sep. 2025
-
In 2019, Lebanese depositors discovered that their banking system had, in effect, just been kidding about those savings accounts.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite initially teasing a retirement from touring back in 2022, the band has decided to reverse course and get their wigs back into fighting shape.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The singer has been busy lately teasing the follow-up to his 2022 sophomore LP, Faith in the Future, telling fans earlier this month that the untitled album is nearly complete.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Notably absent was Jennette McCurdy, who played Carly's sarcastic sidekick Sam in the original series.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Denise – scrappy, sarcastic, and clever – at first was hostile towards Steven, but that passionate annoyance later evolved into teasing, affectionate companionship.—
Sarah John,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Reid, who would know, says that’s nonsense.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Not to mention the Epstein files nonsense.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In a YouTube video, the robot’s head glances around with a quizzical expression and blinks in a way that is eerily lifelike.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Louie is summoned to the apartment of Joe Black, a higher-up gangster played by John Malkovich with a manner so quizzical yet threatening that his voice just about quivers with unexpressed rage.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Joking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joking. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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