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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gag
Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Domingo and Fey get snarky, a clever visual gag earns a surprise laugh, the dialogue is sharper than usual, and the main pairings get jumbled up with purposeful, delightful results.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 May 2026
Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Babies may gag instead of coughing, turn red or blue or briefly stop breathing.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gag
Noun
While most of its funny moments fall into overused gags, Jonnie Park and Yvette Nicole Brown are genuine comedic gold as an adorably odd couple that shine on screen together every time.
—Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Domingo and Fey get snarky, a clever visual gag earns a surprise laugh, the dialogue is sharper than usual, and the main pairings get jumbled up with purposeful, delightful results.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 May 2026
Verb
In 2020, D’Amelio and her sister Dixie were criticized for making faces and gagging noises to food served to them by personal chef Aaron May during an episode of a YouTube show.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Babies may gag instead of coughing, turn red or blue or briefly stop breathing.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gag
Noun
-
Despite all of the excellent jokes, ultimately Night Night Fawn can be nothing other than a tragedy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
In casual conversation, it’s treated as a biological footnote, something between a quirk and a joke.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
In Lebanon, a look-alike delivery driver posts satirical videos and pranks unsuspecting residents, showing the fear Adraee inspires.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
In Lebanon, a look-alike delivery driver posts satirical videos and pranks unsuspecting residents, showing the fear Adraee inspires.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The pulses are designed to normalize the nerve messaging from the brain to the stomach to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting without side effects.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
Geoff Howarth, a former New Zealand captain unused to such lavish fare, once vomited on the field shortly after a particularly leaden lunch.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Green Bay then choked away a 21-3 halftime lead and a 21-6 advantage after three quarters in an eventual 31-27 loss to Chicago in the Wild Card round.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Police in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights have released a sketch of a man accused of attacking and choking a woman this past weekend.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Guiterrez was killed just days before her 20th birthday and was described on GoFundMe by her sister as having the silliest laugh and biggest smiles, and giving the best hugs.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Often, the laughs on the show are generated by a delicate interplay between the music and the sound design.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Folarin Balogun is now the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match, after Bert Patenaude – who happened to score the World Cup’s first-ever hat-trick in the inaugural 1930 edition … against Paraguay, so less.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
These chic wide-leg trousers will do just the trick, made of an ultra-soft and airy fabric ideal for looking polished and cool on warm-weather travels.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Sometimes a playful comment, an unexpected reply or a joking callout between brands takes on a life of its own online.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gag. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
