in jest
As a gag
As a joke rather than seriously.
Someone who says something in jest doesn't mean it literally or expect it to be taken at face value: I only said it in jest—I didn't think you'd actually do it.
The phrase often appears when clarifying intentions or apologizing for a remark that landed poorly.
Clever, amusing remark
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- funnyProvoking laughter or suspicion
- amusingCausing light laughter
- comicalCausing laughter
droll · facetious · hilarious · laughable · ludicrous · mirthful · chuckle · giggle
Playfully fanciful or erratic
- lightheartedCheerful and without worry
- frolicsomeInclined to merriment
- sportiveFond of games
- mischievousPlayfully causing trouble
impish · frisky · jocular · tongue-in-cheek · not serious · fooling around · horsing around · clowning
witticism
Clever, amusing remark
comical · droll · facetious · hilarious · laughable · ludicrous · mirthful · chuckle · giggle · snicker
whimsical
Playfully fanciful or erratic
- lightheartedCheerful and without worry
- frolicsomeInclined to merriment
- sportiveFond of games
mischievous · impish · frisky · jocular · tongue-in-cheek · not serious · fooling around · horsing around · clowning · hamming
irony
Meaning opposite to words
ridicule · derision · snark · barb · cutting · biting · acerbic · caustic · mordant · snide
repartee
Quick, clever conversation
riposte · badinage · raillery · persiflage · sally · wordplay · pleasantry · joshing · ribbing · chaff