half-joking

adjective

1. said, done, or acting in a seemingly jokey manner, but with some serious intent

Derived Forms

• ˌhalf-ˈjokingly, adverb

Example Sentences

In stretches, as Riedinger directs her energies toward Liane’s development as an influencer and not her embittered mother or ne’er-do-well love interest, “Wild Diamond” constructs a working-class, Dardennes-style equivalent of that half-joking line about the Kardashian empire, “The devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder.”

From Los Angeles Times

“If that hits me, I’m out,” Betts said, only half-joking.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m half-joking, but when you mentioned the shot in “The Prince of Tides” of the little girl dragging a blanket and how it reminded you of your own baby blanket that you’d rub while sucking your thumb to put yourself to sleep, I thought, “I wonder if little baby Barbra wrote about it in her journal?”

From Los Angeles Times

The idea for the 'Swiftposium' was born last July as a half-joking tweet with just a few dozen likes.

From BBC

Savino made a half-joking face palm gesture when asked about Bona’s struggles.

From Los Angeles Times