in jest
idiom
formal + old-fashioned
: as a joke
I didn't mean to upset you; I only said it in jest.
Examples of in jest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed the comment was made in jest, according to NBC News.
—
Abigail Adams, People.com, 3 June 2025
Promise to end Ukraine war in 24 hours was ‘in jest’
After pledging throughout his 2024 campaign to end the Russia-Ukraine war before even taking office, or within 24 hours of starting his term, Trump is nearing the end of his first 100 days without a breakthrough.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
Trump has floated the idea of running for a third term, sometimes seemingly in jest.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
The chant was immediately repeated from the away end, by the way, but in jest this time.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in jest
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Abigail Adams, People.com, 3 June 2025
Promise to end Ukraine war in 24 hours was ‘in jest’
After pledging throughout his 2024 campaign to end the Russia-Ukraine war before even taking office, or within 24 hours of starting his term, Trump is nearing the end of his first 100 days without a breakthrough.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
Trump has floated the idea of running for a third term, sometimes seemingly in jest.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
The chant was immediately repeated from the away end, by the way, but in jest this time.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in jest
Cite this Entry
“In jest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20jest. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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