wordplay

noun

Definition of wordplaynext
as in humor

Related Words

Relevance

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 wordplay Artists used wordplay and resistance imagery to process what happened in their state. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026 According to the companies, the natural wordplay of pairing Affleck with Aflac was actually the inspiration for the campaign. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 Animated by dialogue and wordplay, Smith’s novel shines with her intuition, and her ability to surprise. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Connections often features red herrings and other tricks like wordplay. — Kris Holt, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wordplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wordplay
  1. humor
  2. wit
  3. ribbing
  4. mocking
  5. kidding
  6. fooling
Noun
  • Comedy can be harder to export, Barrois notes, given its reliance on local humor.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The end result is a sharp, unapologetic art-house novel full of gravitas, humor and heartbreaking revelations about the Black American experience and the thousand and one ways our nation can shatter Black souls.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of humor
Noun
  • Her intelligence and wit serve her well as the horrors unfold.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Perhaps the actor-director is trying to borrow a page from his bitterly funny David Fincher hit, Gone Girl (another kidnapping thriller, sort of), but Animals has none of that earlier picture’s wit or Grand Guignol extremes or gonzo structure.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of wit
Noun
  • Anyway, there’s no ribbing to be made about Ezra’s ability to take on the character of each dance so well.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The ribbing was good-natured overall, but when describing the rivalry, the friendliness dissipated.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of ribbing
Noun
  • So when this particular member of the beloved Swedish acting dynasty released a rap song, Schulman’s mocking of the video played out pretty publicly in the press.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Paul’s confidence was growing, and the left tackle seemingly responded to his challengers by laughing at their efforts in a mocking manner.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Definition of mocking
Noun
  • Just kidding—but this printer deal does keep $80 in your pocket all the same.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Just kidding—We're loving this retro toy comeback!
    — Parents, Parents, 23 June 2026
Definition of kidding
Noun
  • No fooling, April brings some pretty interesting surprises on Netflix.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of fooling

Browse Nearby Words

word-of-mouth
wordplay
wordplays
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wordplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wordplay. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All