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

Aliens have become less taboo for scientists beyond astrobiology; the possibility of extraterrestrial life is no longer a punch line. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

Which is where the issues with his style becoming a punch line begin. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026

These are irresistible punch lines to a morning spent looking for trouble and mostly finding opportunities to be helpful, or kind. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026

One of the most fun parts of writing comedy is coming up with alt after alt after alt for a joke, pulling ever-increasingly stupid punch lines out of one’s ass. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 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