POKING FUN AT Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

poking fun at

phrase

present participle of poke fun at

as in ridiculing

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter Poking fun at the corny romantic comedies they watch is a favorite pleasure of theirs.

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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 poking fun at Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrated that come-from-behind victory by grating cheese on the field, poking fun at Green Bay’s Cheesehead fan base. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 Caleb Williams celebrated that come-from-behind victory by grating cheese on the field, poking fun at Green Bay's Cheesehead fan base. — Matt Zahn, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026 The speech is a stark example of a broader tone shift by Carney, who in recent months appears to have become more comfortable poking fun at the US leader. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 After poking fun at the 37-year-old, Bedard gushed at the chance to take the ice with Kane. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 The show features Lovett and a panel of guests from the worlds of politics, comedy, journalism and business discussing and poking fun at the news of the week. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 As Aunt Dolly, Parton played an exaggerated version of her larger-than-life self, often poking fun at her over-the-top persona. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 People are also poking fun at the fact that Kaydee is banded, which looks like the eagle version of an ankle monitor. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 At the same time, the off-price giants like TJX, Ross and Burlington that JCPenney is poking fun at, have continuously posted rising sales while Penney’s sales have repeatedly declined, falling almost 5% in the most recent quarter. — Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for poking fun at

making fun of

Phrase

Obviously, our way in was through nostalgia and the era with slime and Gak, making fun of ourselves and self-deprecation.

— Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Farrar’s tweet, Phillips said, plays off the dynamic of liberals getting up in arms, and people then making fun of liberals for getting up in arms.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of making fun of

Browse Nearby Words

poking (around)

poking fun at

poky

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“Poking fun at.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poking%20fun%20at. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of poking fun at

phrase

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