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
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 joking
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Mac's deeply closeted, Catholic-guilty homosexuality had been treated as a joke throughout the show's run, with the joke never truly being about Mac being gay, but about how his desperate repression had twisted him into a caricature of grasping masculinity.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 10 July 2025
On a talk show before his suicide in 2014, Robin Williams joked about his addiction.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Hoffman is only joking, of course.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for joking
Verb
That probably won't stop people making more jokes on social media, though.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Mac's deeply closeted, Catholic-guilty homosexuality had been treated as a joke throughout the show's run, with the joke never truly being about Mac being gay, but about how his desperate repression had twisted him into a caricature of grasping masculinity.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
Jane Birkin, who passed away in 2023, once joked that her legacy would be forever tied to the iconic bag that bears her name.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 10 July 2025
On a talk show before his suicide in 2014, Robin Williams joked about his addiction.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
Noun
Fans took to the comment section, joking about the billionaire and the Masked Singer host's baby-making competition.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Hoffman is only joking, of course.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for joking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joking
Adjective
-
His passion for all-things superhero has a giddy innocence to it even when his films are sarcastic or jokey.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
-
Both of us were sarcastic and fun and funny, and always making jokes and pranks and just having fun with everybody on set.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Other jurors appeared curious and quizzical, some looking at Cassie or jotting notes.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
Team owner Shad Khan looked up with a quizzical expression.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Joking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joking. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share