punch line

noun

: the sentence, statement, or phrase (as in a joke) that makes the point

Examples of punch line in a Sentence

She didn't understand the punch line.

Recent Examples on the Web

Over time, women initially treated as disposable punch lines became bona fide stars. — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026

In these tours, there are often many comments using America as a punch line. — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 22 July 2026

The Dalai Lama’s body may be ailing, true, but no one should bet against the punch line belonging to the monk who never stopped laughing. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

Leave it to Perry's Chandler Bing to deliver a sarcastic remark or punch line. — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for punch line

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline