1
as in laugh
something said or done to cause laughter
he was known for his hilarious jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something
her rendition of the national anthem is a joke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fool
a person or thing that is made fun of
having lost his looks and his voice years ago, these days he's just a show business joke and fodder for late-night comedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to fun
to make jokes
he was known for his ability to joke about his lack of anything resembling a social life
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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Recent Examples of joking
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
Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Tell these jokes to your kids before trick-or-treating, around the campfire at a backyard Halloween party, or write them inside cards to share with at school on October 31.
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
It’s often joked that half the researchers in the field of quantum superconductors can trace an academic lineage to Clarke.
—Eli Levenson-Falk, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025
Jesse Newell, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Samir said, not entirely joking.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for joking
Noun
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
Verb
By dusk, the men in the lake house—men with wives and girlfriends wisely absent—were cracking jokes about his comely dishevelment.
—Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Tell these jokes to your kids before trick-or-treating, around the campfire at a backyard Halloween party, or write them inside cards to share with at school on October 31.
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The TikTok video garnered numerous comments, with some who missed that Dom was joking and trolling the kid, and others praising him for staying in character.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
It’s often joked that half the researchers in the field of quantum superconductors can trace an academic lineage to Clarke.
—Eli Levenson-Falk, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
Reid made light of the incident, joking that Kelce caught him off balance.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Samir said, not entirely joking.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for joking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joking
Adjective
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As a model named Carl, stuck in a relationship corrupted by microcelebrity and Instagram view counts, Dickinson ticks with exasperation and sarcastic logic, his jaw clenched, his eyes wide and staring.—
Carrie Battan,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Following the mother-daughter duo of Lorelai Gilmore, played by Lauren Graham, and Rory, played by Alexis Bledel, Gilmore Girls was perfectly made for millennials, packed with wistful romances, frustrating dramatic turns and just enough sarcastic jokes.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 13 Oct. 2025.
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