gag

verb \ ˈgag \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: gag in a Sentence

Definition of gag

gagged; gagging

transitive verb

1 a : to restrict use of the mouth of by inserting something into it to prevent speech or outcry

b : to prevent from exercising freedom of speech or expression

trying to gag the press

legally gagged from discussing the case

c : to pry or hold open with a gag

2 : to provide or write quips or pranks for

gag a show

3 : to choke or cause to retch

intransitive verb

1 a : choke; also : to suffer a throat spasm that makes swallowing or breathing difficult

b : retch

2 : to be unable to endure something : balk

The boys gagged at all the kissing and goo-goo eyes.

3 : to make quips

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gagger

noun

See gag defined for English-language learners

See gag defined for kids

Examples of gag in a Sentence

The government is trying to gag the press.
the terrible smell of rotting fish made me gag

Recent Examples of gag from the Web

From 1990 to 2014, Ted Frankel owned and operated Uncle Fun, a Lakeview shop that sold novelty items and gag gifts.

— steve heisler, Chicago Reader, "Uncle Fun, the beloved Lakeview novelty shop, gets its own documentary," 7 June 2018
The bronze statue depicts a Polish soldier bound, gagged and impaled by a bayonet.

— bruce shipkowski, The Seattle Times, "Deal reached in dispute over statue marking Polish massacre," 13 May 2018
After the man blindfolded and gagged both her and her child, Carson-Sandler said, she was raped.

— NBC News, "Golden State Killer's victims look to heal after suspect's capture," 26 Apr. 2018
Detectives found no sign of trauma or a struggle, no blood or bruising that could not be explained by a woman who noosed herself, gagged herself, bound her own hands and feet and jumped off a balcony.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "A woman’s hanging at a mansion was a suicide, police decided. A civil jury says they’re wrong.," 5 Apr. 2018
The eighth inning was a remedy, a four-run frame against the two most competent pitchers — Miller and closer Cody Allen — in an otherwise atrocious Indians bullpen that gagged a game its team led 2-0 entering the eighth inning.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros rally to bludgeon Indians' bullpen," 25 May 2018
People in Asia eat crickets, locusts, and scorpions, but most Westerners gag at the idea.

— alessandra potenza, The Verge, "Puke, poop, and sweat: a ranking of New York City’s grossest attractions," 9 May 2018
Online companies offer gag gifts deriding participation awards.

— jeff barker, baltimoresun.com, "Should youth sports hand out participation trophies? At least one Maryland program has decided not to.," 4 May 2018
Oftentimes when queens sashay down the runway of RuPaul’s Drag Race, audiences are left gagged looking at the stunning outfits the girls are able to pull together for the show.

— stephen daw, Billboard, "Sasha Velour, Aja & More 'Drag Race' Queens to Star in the Upcoming Logo TV Fashion Web-Series 'Out of the Closet'," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gag

Middle English gaggen "to strangle," of imitative origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1509

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

gag Synonyms

Synonyms

banter, chaff, fool, fun, jape, jest, jive, joke, jolly, josh, kid, quip, wisecrack;

Related Words

gibe (or jibe), haze, jeer, mock, rag, rally, razz, rib, ridicule, tease;

caricature, lampoon, parody, satirize;

amuse, divert, entertain;

Phrases

crack wise;

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

gag

noun

Definition of gag

1 : something thrust into the mouth to keep it open or to prevent speech or outcry

2 : an official check or restraint on debate or free speech

a gag rule

3 : a laugh-provoking remark or act

4 : prank, trick

See gag defined for English-language learners

Examples of gag in a Sentence

The movie relies on simpleminded gags for laughs.
They hid his clothes as a gag.
They tied up the hostages and put gags in their mouths.
The government is trying to put a gag on the press.

Recent Examples of gag from the Web

The Lonely Island had a running gag during their first live concert at Clusterfest on Friday, June 1, inviting fans to a hotel in Emeryville.

— peter hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, "Clusterfest 2018: The Lonely Island post-concert invite was real, and loyal fans got T-shirts," 2 June 2018
Let’s be clear: the gag rule the president has proposed is not about improving women’s health care.

— sen. elizabeth warren, Time, "Sen. Warren: Trump’s New Proposal Is Another Attempt by the Government to Control Women’s Bodies," 30 May 2018
Padgett also has a sense of when a gag has run its course.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Review: 'Tonight at Midnight with Rauce Padgett' - Orlando Fringe 2018," 18 May 2018
But that’s also not to discount Ehrenreich’s strength with a tossed-off one-liner or a physical gag.

— todd vanderwerff, Vox, "5 things to know about Solo: A Star Wars Story," 15 May 2018
Aunt March and her many exotic birds might be the most enjoyable running gag throughout all of Little Women.

— refinery29.com, "Little Women Review: If You Love The Novel, You’ll Love The Miniseries," 11 May 2018
But on Tuesday night, McConnell’s campaign landed a gag at the expense of a Senate candidate who has been taunting the majority leader in recent weeks.

— kyle swenson, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Thanks for playing, Don’: McConnell campaign mocks Blankenship’s loss in W. Va.," 9 May 2018
The attacker being paired with a tall mascot seems to be a running gag in Italian football.

— SI.com, "PHOTOS: Napoli Star Lorenzo Insigne Reacts After Being Assigned Tallest Mascot for AC Milan Clash," 16 Apr. 2018
There’s a running gag about how Marx and Engels’s 1845 book The Holy Family was originally supposed to be called Critique of Critical Criticism, or Kritik der kritischen Kritik.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Karl Marx Has a Hangover," 2 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of gag

derivative of ¹gag

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

gag Synonyms

Synonyms

antic, caper, dido, escapade, frolic, jest, knavery, monkeyshine(s), practical joke, prank, roguery, trick, waggery;

Related Words

skylarking;

high jinks (also hijinks), horseplay, play, roughhousing, rowdyism;

shenanigan(s), tomfoolery;

joking, kidding, teasing;

gambit, hoax, maneuver, ploy;

caprice, conceit, fancy, vagary, whim, whimsy (also whimsey);

fraud, hanky-panky, hoodwinking, ruse, sham, stratagem, subterfuge, trickery, wile;

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

GAG Defined for English Language Learners

gag

verb

Definition of gag for English Language Learners

: to put something (such as a piece of cloth) into or over a person's mouth in order to prevent that person from speaking, calling for help, etc.
: to prevent (someone) from speaking freely or expressing opinions
: to vomit or feel as if you are about to vomit : to feel as if what is in your stomach is going to come up into your mouth

gag

noun

Definition of gag for English Language Learners

: something said or done to make people laugh
: something done as a playful trick
: something (such as a piece of cloth) that is put into or over someone's mouth in order to prevent speech