1
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
the movie featured a gag involving a chicken driving a car that audiences thought was hysterically funny
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2
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
played a gag on their teammate by putting shaving cream in his hat
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
3
as in to joke
to make jokes
the actor typically mugs and gags through his movies, but in his latest vehicle he plays it straight
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gag
Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
These gags can be funny, but the propulsive mechanics of farce require more of a sense of movement.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
But Larry, a true cynic, was stuck in a different time, gagged and bound by a tireless insistence on creating art that subverted and satirized those same good old-fashioned family values.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gag
Noun
Perhaps the more vulgar visual gags with butts and such look a little more innocent in 3D?
—Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
These gags can be funny, but the propulsive mechanics of farce require more of a sense of movement.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
This came one week after the defense gagged away a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter in a 39-38 loss to the 0-7 Jets, a day that felt like rock bottom for a group now not just compared with the worst in franchise history but the worst in NFL history.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
But Larry, a true cynic, was stuck in a different time, gagged and bound by a tireless insistence on creating art that subverted and satirized those same good old-fashioned family values.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gag
Noun
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Yes, Ohio, our beloved Buckeye state, is also a joke in the world of Gen Alpha slang.—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Dec. 2025
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The comedy is a tonal mess, veering between underdeveloped jokes and unearned sentiment.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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People submit clips of themselves performing the prank, the original poster selects a winner, and the award is distributed in Solana tokens.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
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According to a 2015 Time Magazine story, the tradition of benign pranks began sometime in the 1930s and 1940s in the United States, brought on perhaps as a way to defuse the tensions of economic devastation and the pain of war.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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My cat vomits once every week or two.—
Jane Sykes,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
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The predominant symptoms experienced by the ill passengers and crew members were vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This isn't the first time - or even the second - Johnson has used his training to save a child from choking.—
Nick Caloway,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Local news outlets, however, reported that the actor has been in an intensive care unit at a hospital in Seoul after collapsing while choking on food at his home.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Spartans got the last laugh for now, too, taking both games.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Katz said, feigning familiarity with the leader’s influence and drawing laughs from the audience.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This dish will do the trick with crispy chicken and fresh zucchini tossed in a tender linguine with a robust lemon flavor.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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But even an invitation to hang out again, perhaps paired with a gift card to a local lunch spot, could do the trick.—
Mandy Len Catron,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
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Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gag. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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