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
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Running gags include Moses’ age, certain players’ penchant for forgetfulness and star receiver Stefon Diggs’ proclivity for procreation.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
One is an exercise that only Sam Raimi could do; the other manages to do an absurd amount of gags despite being burdened with the weight of being a real movie.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
These performances, which include plenty of great one-liners and physical gags but also unearth subtler shades of frustration and self-doubt, are some of my favorites of hers.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
So many songs, poems, novels, films, and gags.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
The Challenge winner Ashley Mitchell and Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn struggle to scream while wearing ball gags in their mouths.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 20 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
Perhaps the more vulgar visual gags with butts and such look a little more innocent in 3D?
—Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
The director cleverly dishes out these double meanings from start to finish, fusing the parental experience with tons of gore, hysteria, visual gags and occasional jump scares.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Running gags include Moses’ age, certain players’ penchant for forgetfulness and star receiver Stefon Diggs’ proclivity for procreation.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
One is an exercise that only Sam Raimi could do; the other manages to do an absurd amount of gags despite being burdened with the weight of being a real movie.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
These performances, which include plenty of great one-liners and physical gags but also unearth subtler shades of frustration and self-doubt, are some of my favorites of hers.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
So many songs, poems, novels, films, and gags.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
The Challenge winner Ashley Mitchell and Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn struggle to scream while wearing ball gags in their mouths.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 20 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
Perhaps the more vulgar visual gags with butts and such look a little more innocent in 3D?
—Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Verb
Speaking with Stern on post-Globes Monday for an episode that aired Tuesday, Glaser shared why gags about the current political climate were absent from the show.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
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
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Formerly a beacon of relative calm among his hometown’s more gonzo street rappers, the Flint upstart packs his latest album with more jokes, quirks, and personality than ever before.—
Matthew Ritchie,
Pitchfork,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In drama, because comedy is not currency, everybody’s just cracking jokes all the time.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Originally from Strasbourg, near the German border, the French creator rose to fame on lip syncs and pranks, hopping from Instagram to YouTube to TikTok.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
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Like anything, our pranks revolved around the zeitgeist of the time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There was also a moment where her character vomits all over Bradley's face while dragging him from the water.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
-
My cat vomits once every week or two.—
Jane Sykes,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their inclusion on the recent flight comes as the United States chokes the nation’s oil supplies in a bid for negotiations that could end up in regime change, sparking questions about whether Cuba will take more deportations to ease the political and economic pressure.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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This determines whether Precinct 4 thrives or chokes on its own growth.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Its cast is exactly the sprightly ensemble needed to land its what-if laughs.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Now that Cindy, Brenda, Ray and Shorty are back for more screams and laughs, Marlon Wayans is looking to bring back more of his memorable characters.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In chats among Kalshi traders on the online forum Discord, some show their reluctance to reveal their trading tricks by misdirecting.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Coleman was known for her daring stunt tricks in the air.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gags. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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