joke synonyms

joke

n.

  1. An action intended to be funny

    prank, buffoonery, game, sport, frolic, practical joke, gag, trick, hoax, revel, clowning, caper, caprice, mischief, escapade, stunt, fooling, foolery, tomfoolery, horseplay, pleasantry, fun, play, gambol, antic, lark, drollery, waggery, farce, mummery, monkeyshine*, shenanigan*, put-on*; see also sense 2; trick 1.

  2. Words intended to be funny

    jest, witticism, pun, play on words, quip, bon mot, one-liner, gag, anecdote, pleasantry, banter, drollery, jocularity, riposte, retort, conceit, repartee, give-and-take, rejoinder, sally, persiflage, mot, jeu d'esprit (French), chestnut, epigram, badinage, raillery, smart answer, punch line, jape, crack*, wisecrack*, funny*, shaggy dog story*, zinger*, rib-tickler*; see also sense 1.

  3. A ridiculous person or thing

    laughingstock, butt, mockery, figure of fun, farce, laugh, sham; see also fake, fool 2.

joke

v.

jest, quip, banter, tell jokes, raise laughter, play, sport, frolic, revel, play tricks, pun, poke fun, twit, trick, fool, fool around, clown around, make merry, play the fool, play the clown, be facetious, be waggish, kid*, josh*, crack jokes*, wisecrack*, pull someone's leg*, put someone on*, jive*, fun*; see also deceive, trifle 1.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.