game 1 of 2

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as in play
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously there's no need to get upset, all our teasing is only a game

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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game

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun game differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of game are fun, jest, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When could fun be used to replace game?

While in some cases nearly identical to game, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

When can jest be used instead of game?

While the synonyms jest and game are close in meaning, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When is play a more appropriate choice than game?

The synonyms play and game are sometimes interchangeable, but play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

When might sport be a better fit than game?

The meanings of sport and game largely overlap; however, 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 game
Noun
Mills appeared in 15 games and showed plenty of positive progress compared to his rookie effort. Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025 In their 2022-23 Championship campaign, Burnley conceded an average of 13.2 counter-attacks per game; last season, that figure dropped to 10.7. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Florence Pugh is always game to go there with her glam. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Apr. 2025 The game will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN, with pre-game coverage beginning before the 8:00 PM ET puck drop. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for game
Noun
  • Overall, the tournament’s prize purse will top $90 million – the largest in tennis history and a 20% increase on last year, which stood at $75 million.
    George Ramsay, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Dell said expanding the players' facilities, including adding more practice courts, was key in keeping the players on site throughout the tournament.
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Grab the Racing Dudes Premium Picks and the Travers Betting Bible for detailed race-by-race analysis, exact wagering strategies, and multi-race plays designed to maximize your profits.
    Jared Welch, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Ultimately, that strategy may preserve Ukraine and settle the borders of Europe’s map.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Topping it all off are yet more posh perks, from a tennis court with a viewing pavilion and a Zen garden to a custom children’s play area and a couple of ponds.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Each hunter class offers a unique play style that empowers players with signature abilities.
    Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Master’s degrees in computer, information sciences and support services; health professions; and public administration and social services climbed the most between 2011 and 2022, growing 145%, 75% and 20%, respectively.
    Fiona Riley, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect on the following charges: seven counts of practicing a health care profession without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Instead of piling on work, identify team members' areas for development, then set them up with clear paths to success.
    Hannah Martinez, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Three months after his trip to America, Saiko was ready to return to Ukraine.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • After a tough season which began with his own uncertainty last year, the England international looks more comfortable in his own skin and ready to return to his best.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For the first time in decades, traditional sports face real competition for the next generation of fans, many of whom are trading physical arenas for virtual ones.
    Jennifer Acree, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The main competition strand, officially known as The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, includes 10 world premiere titles.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • One plan calls for a tower as tall as 55 stories and 609 feet, setting a new bar as the tallest building in town.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Half of all private-sector workers now participate in the plans, a record high.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/game. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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