1
as in vomiting
to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth
the terrible smell of rotting fish made me gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in choking
to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe
took a bite that was too large and began to gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in joking
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
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Recent Examples of gagging
Love Is Blind star Jordan Keltner is getting plenty of attention after whipping up a chicken smoothie that left his fiancé (and viewers) gagging.
—
Korin Miller, SELF, 17 Oct. 2025
The most terrifying part, however, will truly leave you gagging.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
That comment instantly causes the daughter to make gagging and vomiting noises.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 11 Aug. 2025
Korin Miller, SELF, 17 Oct. 2025
The most terrifying part, however, will truly leave you gagging.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
That comment instantly causes the daughter to make gagging and vomiting noises.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gagging
Verb
-
Legend has it that Jerry Rice’s weight routine was so intense that other players couldn’t make it through without vomiting.—
Shani Harmon,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Fox’s major-league career lasted 10 games with the Washington Nationals (he is mostly remembered for vomiting on the field) and the only value the Giants derived from him was including him in the multiplayer trade with the Tampa Bay Rays that netted left-hander Matt Moore.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The child, who had been choking on mucus, was taken to Jacobi Hospital as a precaution and is doing well, police said.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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Braddy’s criminal history included convictions for robbery, kidnapping and attempting to kill a corrections officer by choking him.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Of course, Morris is only joking — something he's made a living doing for most of his career, from his pioneering run as SNL's first Black cast member (1975-1980) to his time as a TV regular on sitcoms including The Jeffersons, Martin and 2 Broke Girls.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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This one’s an instant compliment-magnet—I’m not joking.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gagging. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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