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
You’re being called to play the long game, to build something that lasts. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025 Turner Sports first acquired an NBA package in 1984, and games were on TNT since the network launched in 1988. Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Adjective
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 The excitement is heightened by additional events, including an annual mascot game at halftime, a pre-game clinic and the Teddy Toss. Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for game
Noun
  • Who better than the 18-time major champion himself to discuss what McIlroy's absence means to him as the organizer of the tournament?
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • What if Ronaldo inks a contract with a team just for the duration of the tournament?
    Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • That’s exactly where many organizations are flying blind, building AI agents without a strategy for how to keep them running, governed and optimized at scale.
    Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • Mosier works with the university on social media strategy, and recently decided to bring her superstar pug to the school's campus for a visit.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • More specifically, the play follows two twins, Viola and Sebastian, who are separated from each other in a shipwreck.
    James Factora, Them., 28 May 2025
  • Receiver Ladd McConkey made the splash play of the day down the left sideline during the third-down period.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • The 31-year-old attorney from Brooklyn, New York, kept his profession a secret from the other players throughout the game.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • And in Hoskin’s view, that is true for all professions.
    Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • On May 8, a hunter discovered human remains on Cedar Mountain, and after alerting authorities about the finding, law enforcement responded to the area and retrieved them, the Kane County Sheriff's Office reported this week.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The whale had, at most, 180 retinal ganglion cells per square millimeter; humans, meanwhile, have up to about 40,000 in the same area.
    Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • But not everyone is ready to join the wave just yet.
    Jon Youshaei, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • The chicks should be ready to leave the nest around May 28.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • The Diamond League was the premier series of competition in the sport for a long time and still holds that title due to its longevity and structure.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Few trans athletes have reached elite levels of sports competition and even fewer have taken home top prizes, but their limited success has fueled the growing movement to ban them from participating on teams consistent with their gender identity.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • But Andrea Jenkins, who represents the area and supports the city's plan, said residents around the square want vehicle traffic.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • His evil plan is to conquer the microchip market by creating earthquakes and floods that will destroy most of the San Francisco Bay area.
    EW.com, EW.com, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/game. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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