1
as in fun
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously
you should know that our teasing was done entirely in jest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
laughed politely at his feeble jest about his pet mosquito
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
putting a mouse in her desk drawer was intended to be a harmless jest
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4
as in to joke
to make jokes
when I asked my sister for a loan, she laughingly replied, "Surely you jest!"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jest
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Teams seemingly snatched valuable free agents left and right while the Dolphins’ inactivity became a point of jest for national pundits like Pat McAfee.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
This led him to jest about a personal request from viewers.
—Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 2 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for jest
Noun
Boucher’s enfants practice the arts and sciences both as a jest—a child of five can do this—and as an Enlightenment homage to the unclouded natural mind.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Teams seemingly snatched valuable free agents left and right while the Dolphins’ inactivity became a point of jest for national pundits like Pat McAfee.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
The two also jested about their pet peeves about each other.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
This led him to jest about a personal request from viewers.
—Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 2 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for jest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jest
Noun
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If metallic bronze isn’t your aesthetic, the pumpkins come in a whopping 24 colors, including autumnal neutrals like classic orange and white, as well as fun bubblegum pink and aqua blue shades.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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With music, dancing, and a touch of retro flair, this is an evening designed for pure fun and maybe a little luck at the tables.—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Related Stories Farrelly thinks that kind of oppressive political correctness is fading and that audiences are eager to see movies that eviscerate good taste in order to land a joke again.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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What started as a joke soon turned into a tourism draw that put Lajitas on the map.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Doorbell pranks turn deadly This is not the first instance of a ding, dong, ditch prank ending in a shooting.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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But instead of playing soccer with his friends, 11-year-old Julián Guzman will be laid to rest Saturday – exactly one week after a popular children’s prank ended with a fatal gunshot wound to his back.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The game started on a dramatic note when Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected before the first offensive play of the game after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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The stretch play is a really good play for them.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, if you're pressed for time, check out the shorts Mike's New Car (2001) and Party Central (2014) for some quick laughs.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Her voice has been sharp, sometimes saucy, and could be silken — then let out a bell-ringing laugh.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When Peanut pulled his second escape act, his owners knew where to look and handled Peanut's disappearance in a joking manner.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Multiple outlets that examined the reporting identified the claim as unverified and labeled the story a hoax; Colbert had previously made a joking on-air reference to streaming platforms but had not announced any deal with Netflix.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lindblade is excited about Lionel Messi and Inter Miami games that have added to the city’s appeal and the back-to-back Stanley Cup championships of the Florida Panthers, whose practice complex is just north of downtown.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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Guardians starter Slade Cecconi — who conversely had the best game of his career — didn’t allow a hit through seven innings.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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So is a certain pride in what one is able to get away with, the thrill of learning new tricks and showing them off.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
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The trick, according to Brooks, is to think like an entrepreneur and treat your life like a startup.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jest. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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