one-liner

noun

Synonyms of one-linernext
1
: a very succinct joke or witticism
2
: a succinct or meaningful and especially accurate statement

Examples of one-liner in a Sentence

the senator deftly inserted some smart one-liners into an otherwise sober speech
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Demi gets in some sharp one-liners and fun physical-comedy bits throughout the rest of the episode. Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026 Humor is a surprisingly important aspect of parenting, and that silly one-liner may help strengthen the bond between fathers and children. Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 15 June 2026 The clip begins with a round up of short one-liners from the Housewives. Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 The one-liners, which Foxworthy began cracking in the late 1980s, helped propel the comedian to mainstream stardom in the 90s. Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for one-liner

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-liner was in 1962

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-liner. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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