Like some jokes, avoiding repetition, but weak (4)
I believe the answer is:
puny
'weak' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'like some jokes avoiding repetition' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'like' could be 'y' (similar in meaning) and 'y' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'pun' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'but' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for puny that I've seen before include "Slight" , "Insignificant" , "Small and feeble" , "Frail and weedy" , "in need of development" .)