as in joking
marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing
a joshing response to my earnest question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in joke
good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
for all his joshing, he can be very serious when he needs to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in kidding
to make fun of in a good-natured way
don't get all hot and bothered! I'm just joshing you
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in jesting
to make jokes
a very outgoing man who joshes with everyone he meets
Synonyms & Similar 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 joshing
H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
The humorous joshing and teasing that came out of their initial love just gets worse and worse.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joshing
Noun
-
But over the course of nine innings and a few beers, there is plenty of time to catch up, joke around, give each other a hard time.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Last year, Carr warned broadcast stations after Kimmel made a joke about the response on the right to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
DeVos wasn’t kidding, and on Monday, in front of close friends and family, current and former Magic executives and employees and local community leaders, a plaque was unveiled with Martins’ name on it at the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame that’s located in Kia Center on the terrace level.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
-
McKneely wasn’t kidding about the staples being removed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Larson first thought Bronin was joking.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
-
He's often seen joking with or getting tips from players such as Hacopian, the star second baseman who transferred in this offseason.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Looks like Love Story got the last laugh.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The two teammates shared a laugh.—
Ryan Brennan
March 25,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Starbucks Rewards members who use the mobile app may have received a push notification on Monday morning teasing the new drink.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Late rap legend Big Pun cut his teeth there, teasing future hits from his classic 1998 debut album, Capital Punishment, at the venue.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Both programs are highly educational amid the humor and banter.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Our banter was fun, constant and warm.—
Dawn Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Any amount of singing or jesting will be heard by all.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Language There’s some crude language, jesting, and mature comedic themes, but but nothing the modern tween or teen hasn’t seen or heard before.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Left on their own, boisterous badinage between old school British thespian Shaw and giggly, hyper-ventilating wannabe movie star Dreyfuss has taken hold.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Joshing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joshing. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
