one-liner
noun
one-lin·er
ˌwən-ˈlī-nər 
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
It’s got heart, it’s got real character humor, and [is] not filled with one-liners.
—
Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Weekend Update This week’s Update featured some of the better one-liners of the night, arguably peaking early on when Colin Jost acknowledged Morgan Wallen’s abrupt departure at goodnights last week.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025
Her one-liners can do more than certain entire volumes.
—Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Cheryl Hamada rounds out the cast as Marilyn, Ren’s agent and longtime friend who serves as the screenwriter’s sounding board, unofficial therapist and deliverer of tough truths — not to mention some witty one-liners.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
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Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Weekend Update This week’s Update featured some of the better one-liners of the night, arguably peaking early on when Colin Jost acknowledged Morgan Wallen’s abrupt departure at goodnights last week.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025
Her one-liners can do more than certain entire volumes.
—Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Cheryl Hamada rounds out the cast as Marilyn, Ren’s agent and longtime friend who serves as the screenwriter’s sounding board, unofficial therapist and deliverer of tough truths — not to mention some witty one-liners.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Cite this Entry
“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-liner. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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