game 1 of 2

Definition of gamenext
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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

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
Saturday’s game was played in a ballpark 2,400 feet higher than Coors Field and where three years earlier the Padres scored 22 runs and had 27 hits in two games. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 Head coach Vic Schaefer praised how Harmon’s game could translate into the WNBA in the postgame news conference after the Final Four. Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
At the end of the rope is a bucket that holds a percentage of each contestant’s pre-game body weight. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 The Victory+ package will include a 24/7 Lynx hub that will feature non-game content such as game highlights and recaps, behind-the-scenes storytelling and player features. John Shipley, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for game
Noun
  • Argentina earned $42 million for winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, an increase from the $38 million awarded to France for winning the 2018 tournament in Russia.
    Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • But, at Tom Holland's padel tournament on April 29, that's exactly the case.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Millions of Americans are turning to AI chatbots for help with their finances, asking about budgets, debt payoff plans, retirement strategies and investment options.
    Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • So no matter what, the strategy is to save enough gas to take as little as possible on the final pit stop of the day.
    Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That single play — driving through the offensive line, knocking the ball loose, and creating a turnover — became one of the defining moments of the game.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • James has handled the majority of the play-making responsibilities, had eight turnovers in each of the last two games.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But actors from all quarters of the profession are still flocking to New York for the kind of substantive material that is becoming harder to come by on screen.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This line of thinking also invites a broader reflection on the motivations that bring clinicians into the profession.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • On Saturday, Moscow pummeled the central city of Dnipro and other areas for more than twenty hours with barrages of missiles and drones, killing at least seven people.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
  • High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.
    Josh Krockey, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The company, which operates AMC, Shudder and BBC America, among other outlets,has no massive deal ready to unveil that will put it in cahoots with the NFL or Major League Baseball.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Lindsay Hubbard is activated and ready to call out West Wilson and Amanda Batula’s inconsistencies.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Prediction markets have increased competition but have not significantly slowed the industry’s growth.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Only weeks remain before hundreds of thousands of soccer fans are expected to start descending on Kansas City for the first game, on June 16, of the month-long 2026 FIFA World Cup competition.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Back barring a surprise Marco Kasper Kasper’s second NHL season didn’t go according to plan, with his production dropping from 37 points as a rookie to 19 this season.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • That would mark the first withdrawal under this tool since February 2025, according to Bloomberg calculations based on the operation plan released late on Friday.
    Bloomberg, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/game. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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