gag

verb \ ˈgag \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

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

—

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

First: How many of the rolls of duct tape sold in hardware stores each year are purchased for the express purpose of binding and/or gagging people so that violence may be inflicted upon them?

— christopher orr, The Atlantic, "You Were Never Really Here Is Never Really Here," 13 Apr. 2018
She was gagged and her hands and feet had been bound.

— christine pelisek, PEOPLE.com, "Man 'Disappointed' in 'Preposterous Verdict' Finding Him Liable for Woman's Strange Mansion Death," 5 Apr. 2018
And Rebecca, the ghoulish aspects of her death notwithstanding, had bound and gagged herself.

— sean elder, Town & Country, "The Mysterious Deaths That Rocked a Wealthy Southern California Enclave," 21 Nov. 2017
Today’s college students are as eager as button-up, crew-cut, Eisenhower-era Americans to gag speech, although for entirely different reasons.

— nina burleigh, Newsweek, "The Battle Against ‘Hate Speech’ on College Campuses Gives Rise to a Generation That Hates Speech," 26 May 2016
In one compelling moment, Xernona Clayton, an event organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, celebrates King’s birthday by giving him gag gifts that will help him when he’s arrested.

— salamishah tillet, New York Times, "Seeing Martin Luther King Jr. in a New Light," 1 Apr. 2018
As smoke fills the vehicle, Clements can be seen opening the door, gagging for air.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Video Shows Cop Killing Decynthia Clements After Discussing How to Not Kill Decynthia Clements," 26 Mar. 2018
Bucklew’s rare and severe condition creates a very substantial risk of a gruesome execution, with choking and gagging on blood and the infliction of excruciating pain,’’ Pilate said.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Lawyer says execution could be painful due to rare condition," 18 Mar. 2018
Public employees can’t be gagged by private agreements.

— carolyn mcatee cerbin, USA TODAY, "Trump pushed White House staff to sign non-disclosure agreements: report," 18 Mar. 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

Any moment of real danger gets punctuated with gags like a gorilla’s middle finger.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Rampage Is a Big, Noisy Nothing," 13 Apr. 2018
Witty repartees might have added a whole new dimension to comedy films, but in terms of visual stunts and gags, has any sound film ever matched the best works of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, or Harold Lloyd?

— ciara wardlow, The Hollywood Reporter, "What 'A Quiet Place' Forgets About Silence and Cinema," 9 Apr. 2018
It was meant as an April Fool’s Day joke, but the gag backfired.

— The Economist, "Tesla is heading for a cash crunch," 5 Apr. 2018
Trying to swing back and forth between the harsh realities of Tray's new life and gags about his idiotic halfway housemates doesn't really work.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: Tracy Morgan's 'The Last O.G.' is a waste of Tiffany Haddish," 3 Apr. 2018
Burger King seems to be teasing fans with a pretty sweet April Fool’s Day gag — the BK Chocolate Whopper.

— jamie ducharme, Fortune, "Burger King Introduces the Chocolate Whopper — Maybe," 31 Mar. 2018
The songs here are creatively accomplished, but that craftsmanship is in the service of bringing to musical life a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbert whose spirit essentially goes back to vaudeville-evocative gags.

— mike giuliano, Howard County Times, "All roads lead to musical comedy," 22 Mar. 2018
The 2018 Academy Awards was packed with glamour, dazzling performances, moving speeches and enough gags and drama to fill news bulletins for the next couple days.

— billboard staff, Billboard, "Oscars 2018: Pink, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and More React," 5 Mar. 2018
Writers and producers get more traction out designing gags and sketches that will hopefully go viral, and Portman's first rap was, weirdly, a trailblazer.

— luke darby, GQ, "Natalie Portman Raps on SNL About Star Wars Prequels and Eating Tide Pods," 4 Feb. 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