japes 1 of 2

noun

plural of jape
as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter by the standards of today's no-holds-barred satire, Will Rogers' homespun japes about politicians seem awfully gentle

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japes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of jape
as in jests
to make jokes the characters in Oscar Wilde's plays jape with a readiness and sophistication that is rarely, if ever, encountered in real life

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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 japes
Noun
Zings, barbs, and japes fly between the two, but the banter soon gives way to grand action set pieces. — Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026 That is when the japes really started, most prominently on a mid-season bonding trip to Barcelona when four players ‘borrowed’ a taxi after a late-night trip to McDonald’s. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Before this fifth season put him closer to the center of the action, Roddy had undoubtedly been a misfit among misfits at Slough House, a desk jockey who would hold court at his computer, issuing snide japes at anyone within earshot. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for japes
  1. jokes
  2. laughs
Noun
  • Behind the jokes, some campaigns have carried serious messages, like a man dressed as a fox advocating for animal rights who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Burnham when the former Manchester mayor returned to parliament in June.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • There were lots of jokes, memes and even a Jimmy Fallon skit.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of jokes
Noun
  • One part sends me to therapy, the other keeps me sane [laughs].
    — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • That joke landed, receiving laughs and applause from the crowd.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of laughs

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Cite this Entry

“Japes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/japes. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on japes

Nglish: Translation of japes for Spanish Speakers

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