gag

play

verb \ ˈgag \

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

When Northrup showed her an autopsy photo of her daughter’s face Monday morning, Jade Butler doubled over on the witness stand and started to sob and gag – so much so that Superior Court Judge Carla Archie ordered a recess.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "Mother sobs on stand when shown daughter’s photo, then denies she had a hand in her death," 24 July 2017
And if very soft, some child or pet will try to eat it and then gag up their lunch.

— mark holan/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Man arrested on suspicion of drunken driving: Olmsted Township Police Blotter," 23 July 2017
After handing him the $246 from the register, she was herded at gunpoint into a back room where she and her husband were gagged and bound with duct tape.

— tony rizzo, kansascity, "Snatched from bed in the Northland, 9-year-old girl’s remains were found in Wyoming," 16 July 2017
A woman who was bound, gagged and held against her will at a house in Mid-City escaped to safety...

— beau evans, NOLA.com, "N.C. teen missing for over a year found in Georgia: report," 25 June 2017
Virtually every non-Democrat who is familiar with the words Nancy Pelosi is a member of the Republican base — imagine the GOP deciding in 2016 that its path back to power involved winning over voters who gag at the mention of John Boehner.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Nancy Pelosi Didn’t Cost Jon Ossoff the Election," 21 June 2017
The woman told deputies that Michael Gray Wilkins and Leslie Jacobs Weeks zip tied, gagged and assaulted her.

— jim ryan, OregonLive.com, "Duo arrested on suspicion of kidnapping Portland woman, holding her in motorhome," 15 June 2017
This past October, Kardashian West was alone in her No Address Hotel room during Paris Fashion week when multiple masked men broke in and bound, gagged and robbed the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star of millions of dollars worth of jewels.

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "Kris Jenner Reveals Family Has ‘Enormous Amount’ of Armed Security Since Paris Robbery: ‘It Changed the Way We Live’," 12 June 2017
A bearded man sat on board, masked, handcuffed and gagged until out of shouting range of land.

— spencer s. hsu, Washington Post, "Thirteen days in the history of the accused leader of the Benghazi attacks," 9 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

gag Synonyms

Synonyms

barf, vomit, heave, hurl, puke, retch, spew, spit up, throw up, upchuck

Related Words

disgorge, regurgitate; eject, expel; nauseate

Near Antonyms

breathe, respire; expire, inspire

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

NKU also argued unsuccessfully for a gag order in the case.

— kate murphy, Cincinnati.com, "Northern Kentucky University settles sex assault case," 23 Aug. 2017
In the early stages of rehearsal, Andy Leahy talks with his actors about comedy's occasional dependence on era and looks for ways to angle a gag written in 1930 to suit the sensibilities of a 2017 audience.

— angela denk, Daily Southtown, "Show goes on for Flossmoor professional theater, despite death of founding member," 18 Aug. 2017
Stockley’s request last month for a bench trial didn’t state a reason; a gag order in the case has prevented attorneys from commenting outside the courtroom.

— jim salter, The Seattle Times, "St. Louis officer unique in opting for trial without a jury," 2 Aug. 2017
To those unfamiliar, the bike seemed like just another of the singer's gags.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "Who's using Louisville's bike share? Weezer," 17 July 2017
If a gag order is not granted, prosecutors are seeking a semi-sequestration of jurors, NBC reported.

— lisa marie segarra, Fortune, "Prosecutors Seek Gag Order for ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli," 5 July 2017
This has been a very difficult time for my office because of Judge (Leslie) Ghiz’s gag order.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Joe Deters speaks out after 2nd Ray Tensing trial and reports of a plea deal," 5 July 2017
The setpieces are big, the action is insane, and the gags really go for it.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "The Good, The Bad, The Weird: The Western Homage You Shouldn't Miss on Netflix," 1 July 2017
Lake County Sheriff John Buncich confirmed the animals remain in the care of Lake County Animal Control and declined to comment further citing the gag order.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "Citing conflicts, Lake County judges bow out of alleged puppy mill case," 30 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of gag

derivative of ¹gag

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

See Words from the same year

gag Synonyms

Synonyms

boff (or boffo), boffola, crack, drollery, funny, joke, giggle [chiefly British], jape, jest, josh, laugh, nifty, one-liner, pleasantry, quip, rib, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism, yuk (or yuck also yak or yock) [slang]

Other Performing Arts Terms

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

GAG Defined for English Language Learners

gag

play

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

GAG Defined for Kids

gag

play

verb \ ˈgag \

Definition of gag for Students

gagged; gagging

1 :to stop from speaking or crying out by or as if by covering or blocking the mouth

2 :to vomit or feel like vomiting

The horrible smell almost made me gag.

3 :choke 2

He gagged on his hot dog.

gag

noun

Definition of gag for Students

1 :something covering or blocking the mouth especially to prevent speaking or crying out

2 :something said or done to make other people laugh

Learn More about gag

See words that rhyme with gag Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gag Spanish Central: Translation of gag Nglish: Translation of gag for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gag for Arabic speakers

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Other Performing Arts Terms

gag

Definition of gag

Examples of gag in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gag from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gag

gag Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Performing Arts Terms

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GAG Defined for English Language Learners

gag

Definition of gag for English Language Learners

gag

Definition of gag for English Language Learners

GAG Defined for Kids

gag

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gag

Definition of gag for Students

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