fun 1 of 3

fun

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noun

1
2
as in play
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously when I said that playing the piano like that could get you arrested, I only said it in fun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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fun

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fun differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fun are game, jest, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of fun?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When can jest be used instead of fun?

The words jest and fun can be used in similar contexts, but jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When might play be a better fit than fun?

In some situations, the words play and fun are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

In what contexts can sport take the place of fun?

The synonyms sport and fun are sometimes interchangeable, but sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

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 fun
Adjective
In her comments, one of Jill's sisters shared their thoughts on how fun the trip was. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025 In a matter of months, AI agents have gone from a fun novelty to a business necessity, marking one of the fastest shifts in consumer shopping behavior since the rise of the internet. Mark Simon, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
There will be educational information and fun activities. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025 Which ones have been the most fun to play? Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fun
Adjective
  • Judging by the amusing premiere episode, there is some potential to the motley crew of this government service.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The other twist is that Noelle is addicted to a podcast (performed by Adwa Alasiri) that dishes out both true crime stories and helpful makeup tips, an amusing combination of gloss and gore.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One issue is that hypnosis has long been viewed as a form of entertainment, a stage show with a hypnotist and an audience, which can give viewers a sense that hypnosis is something done to you rather than a process that a person is led through.
    Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On the play Warner got hurt, the 49ers were missing a right defensive end, and coaches mistakenly assumed practice-squad call-up Trevis Gipson stayed on the field to fill that role after racing down on kickoff coverage and making the initial hit on a tackle.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The quarterback play simply isn’t good enough to out-score opponents, or even force them into pass-heavy play scripts.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Pagosa Springs Looking for a destination that combines mountain adventures and deep relaxation?
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In a living room, a large tapestry can create a striking focal point, while a bedroom may benefit from softer, muted pieces that complement bedding and promote relaxation.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.
    Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Glenn wasn’t met with cheers or the sounds of flashing cameras — there was a distinct lack of commotion.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Egan, who was nominated for her role as Chelsea Lawson in The Young and the Restless, which she's played since 2011, joked about her chances to win this year in an Instagram post following the nominations.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Heat coach Erik Spoelstra joked.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Join us for an enjoyable hour with one of our favorite guys.
    Space.com Staff, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Our priority is to ensure that all in attendance have a safe and enjoyable experience at the ballpark.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An airline passenger shared their delight after taking their spot on a flight and finding an adorable dog staring at them from the seats in front.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The four-time Tony winner closed out her speech with an Irish blessing — sung a capella, much to the crowd’s delight.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fun. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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