gag

verb

\ ˈgag

gagged; gagging

Definition of gag

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

1a : 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

gag

noun

Definition of gag (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from gag Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about gag

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Examples of gag in a Sentence

Verb

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

Noun

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 on the Web: Verb

Totally normal fetishes include everything from age play to gagging and golden showers. — Gigi Engle, Glamour, "Yes, Your Fetish Is Totally Normal," 14 Mar. 2019 Michelle Obama just won a Grammy for Best Wig Snatching after making a surprise appearance at tonight's award ceremony and leaving all audiences gagging for air. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Michelle Obama Just Showed Up to the Grammys and We're So Emotional," 11 Feb. 2019 The images beaming out of the U.S.-Mexico border — migrants storming barricades, children gagging on tear gas — have intensified the debate regarding the Trump administration’s bare-knuckled approach to immigration. — Kyle Swenson, The Seattle Times, "Ammon Bundy breaks with Trump on anti-migrant rhetoric: ‘It’s all fear-based’," 28 Nov. 2018 Jonathan Hatami told jurors that the defendant, 37, had enjoyed tormenting the boy, forcing Gabriel to eat his own vomit and sleep in a cabinet with a sock gagging his mouth. — Marisa Gerber, latimes.com, "'Horrendous, inhumane and nothing short of evil': Judge sentences mother to life in prison and her boyfriend to death in Gabriel Fernandez murder case," 7 June 2018 Video posted in January 2017 shows the four defendants — all African-American — cutting the white victim’s scalp with a knife, punching and kicking him and laughing as he was bound and gagged in an apartment on Chicago’s West Side. — Megan Crepeau, chicagotribune.com, "Ringleader given 8 years in prison for beating mentally disabled teen in attack livestreamed on Facebook," 5 July 2018 Cooper and Hill taunted the teen with knives and sliced up his sweatshirt, hair and scalp while the teen was tied up and gagged, Lanier said. — Megan Crepeau, chicagotribune.com, "Last of 4 defendants pleads guilty to beating teen with disability in livestreamed Facebook attack," 12 July 2018 The 75-year-old Smith was found bound, gagged and suffocated to death on her bed. — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Jury acquits Baltimore man in 1981 cold case killing of 75-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted," 20 June 2018 Prosecutors said he was repeatedly beaten, shot with a BB gun, forced to eat cat feces and slept while gagged and bound inside a small cabinet. — Nicole Darrah, Fox News, "California man gets death sentence in torture-killing of 8-year-old boy," 7 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Don’t tie your partner’s arms and legs to the bed, throw on a blindfold, and pop in a ball gag on the first go with bondage. — Gigi Engle, SELF, "5 Ways to Ease Your Partner Into Trying Bondage and Kink," 28 Sep. 2018 Some of the results are hilarious: A terrific gag involves a Polaroid camera and Ron at the center of a group shot. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘BlacKkKlansman’ Review: Running on Fury," 9 Aug. 2018 If those lawsuits fail, the domestic gag rule will go into effect in two short months. — Lauren Rankin, Teen Vogue, "Trump's Title X Rules Could Lead to More Harassment at Abortion Clinics," 12 Mar. 2019 And then there’s drain cleaning: Running a power auger through a clogged sewer is not for people with a low gag reflex. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "How to Become a Skilled Tradesperson," 13 Mar. 2019 The Windsor clan famously exchange presents on Christmas Eve and opt for cheap gag gifts instead of expensive items. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Prince George and Princess Charlotte Broke Royal Tradition by Waking Up at the Crack of Dawn on Christmas Morning," 29 Dec. 2018 And with each of the different multiverse characters embodying their own genres, there are plenty of different gags to play with. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is dazzling, hilarious, and unique," 14 Dec. 2018 The morning after her victory, Aquaria hopped on the phone with Billboard to talk about everything from the show's editing to whether Melania Trump is aware of her gag-worthy Snatch Game impersonation. — Joe Lynch, Billboard, "'Drag Race' Winner Aquaria Talks Victory, Melania Trump & That Butterfly Snafu," 29 June 2018 Think of them as the perfect gag gift, stocking stuffer, or accessory for the crazy bird lady (or man!) in your life. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Country Living, "Folks Are Going Clucking Crazy Over These Chicken Leg Socks," 10 Aug. 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.