1
as in jokes
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 pranks
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
as in vomits
to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth
the terrible smell of rotting fish made me gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in quips
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 gags
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Some jokes poked fun at familiar topics like George Clooney’s Nespresso ads or the age of Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriends or Kevin Hart’s height, but there were plenty of other gags in there, too.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Finally, Jimmy Kimmel was joined by Ben Affleck as his first guest, crowning Kimmel as Thee Hollywood Insider — with running gags between him and Affleck/Matt Damon, and with similar experiences to Affleck at the Critics Choice Awards.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
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
While familiarly imbued with quips and gags, the mystery (now streaming on Netflix) is also full of heart.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
There are, of course, the usual ridiculous gags and puns and a long set up for a Scooby-Doo joke that might be the stupidest and funniest in all of Pynchonland.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
That will prove to be one of the film’s wittier running gags — that everyone in this rarefied world marries their first or second cousin, because that’s the only way to keep the wealth in the family.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Dec. 2025
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Below are some of her sharp gags that didn’t make the cut on Sunday’s show.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Some jokes poked fun at familiar topics like George Clooney’s Nespresso ads or the age of Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriends or Kevin Hart’s height, but there were plenty of other gags in there, too.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Finally, Jimmy Kimmel was joined by Ben Affleck as his first guest, crowning Kimmel as Thee Hollywood Insider — with running gags between him and Affleck/Matt Damon, and with similar experiences to Affleck at the Critics Choice Awards.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
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
While familiarly imbued with quips and gags, the mystery (now streaming on Netflix) is also full of heart.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
There are, of course, the usual ridiculous gags and puns and a long set up for a Scooby-Doo joke that might be the stupidest and funniest in all of Pynchonland.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
That will prove to be one of the film’s wittier running gags — that everyone in this rarefied world marries their first or second cousin, because that’s the only way to keep the wealth in the family.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Dec. 2025
Verb
Some gags land, others don’t, and the script’s sudden bursts of melancholy dependably catch you in the gut.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gags
Noun
-
Yes, as it is said, some jokes just write themselves.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Performers have been reprimanded for making racist, sexist and homophobic jokes during shows in the late 1990s and 2000s, according to Westword, and Stock Show officials were quick to apologize.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Teens can move from online pranks to serious federal crimes without realizing where the legal line lies.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Rose also likes pulling lighthearted pranks to make others laugh.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
My cat vomits once every week or two.—
Jane Sykes,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Be aware the virus may be aerosolized when someone vomits, meaning surfaces several feet away could be contaminated, the USDA said.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Physical bullying happens when a child hits, kicks, trips, pushes, chokes or otherwise hurts another child.—
Dr. Mahvash Madni,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Not all of the jokes work, but even the grumpiest theatergoers will find plenty of laughs.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the comedians also used those laughs to reveal the fundamental absurdity of violence and conflict.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There is no one organizational system that fits every family and lifestyle, but there are some tips and tricks that help.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
So what are their go-to tricks for creating a space worth hibernating in?—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gags. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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