Synonyms of josh

josh 1 of 2

noun

as in joke

something said or done to cause laughter

a close-knit family constantly exchanging lighthearted joshes at the dinner table

Synonyms & Similar Words

• joke
• laugh
• joking
• sally
• giggle
• jape
• funny
• gag
• rib
• yuk
• boff
• one-liner
• quip
• wisecrack
• pleasantry
• witticism
• scream
• jest
• waggery
• nifty
• drollery
• boffola
• prank
• crack
• practical joke
• trick
• riot
• parody
• funning
• comedy
• kidding
• wisecracking
• panic
• buffoonery
• caper
• humorousness
• banter
• humor
• riff
• mock
• antic
• leg-pull
• monkeyshine(s)
• burlesque
• lampoon
• funniness
• caricature
• hilariousness
• persiflage
• repartee
• wit
• mockery
• raillery
• wordplay
• knee-slapper
• put-on
• facetiousness
• thigh-slapper
• drollness

josh

2 of 2

verb

ˈjäsh 

1

as in to kid

to make fun of in a good-natured way

don't get all hot and bothered! I'm just joshing you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kid
• tease
• joke
• razz
• roast
• rib
• jive
• chaff
• take the mickey out of
• goof on
• ride
• rally
• fun
• banter
• string along
• fool
• jest
• quip
• jolly
• jape
• yuk
• wisecrack
• gag

2

as in to joke

to make jokes

a very outgoing man who joshes with everyone he meets

Synonyms & Similar Words

• joke
• fun
• kid
• jest
• jolly
• banter
• fool
• jape
• quip
• yuk
• jive
• crack wise
• rag
• chaff
• tease
• wisecrack
• ridicule
• gag
• amuse
• jeer
• razz
• rib
• gibe
• mock
• haze
• parody
• entertain
• caricature
• satirize
• rally
• lampoon
• divert

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of josh

Noun

In a weird form of Shakespearean locker-room talk, the two josh each other about women; H is involved with Mina, while the Rude Boy renews his flirtation with Ophelia. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Verb

Now Peter was standing, and the officers were joshing with him. — Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Alas, even former presidents of the United States can’t just josh about such things. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

Cranston and Essiedu convey a father-son bond of unusual closeness — hugging, play-fighting, joshing; but this physical proximity will be repeated at the end of the play to devastatingly different effect. — Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 22 Nov. 2025

Cheryl — who jumped in the mosh pit briefly at the first party — hung out in the back, sitting on her walker and gently joshing Erika’s young son for wearing earplugs while a singer screamed into the microphone. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Anatole is a painter, an artform which photographer Lucien good-naturedly joshes him will soon be obsolete. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 27 May 2025

Hudson’s accordion seems to come strolling in from a sidewalk serenade to meet Helm’s amused, exasperated vocal, joshing him along with countermelodies, trills and wheezily encouraging chords. — Jon Pareles, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025