as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
the senator deftly inserted some smart one-liners into an otherwise sober speech
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of one-liner
Diego Luna is a one-man show, and his on- and off-field style offers a boost, as do Mastroeni’s press conference one-liners.
—
Tom Bogert, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Readers don’t fall in love with witty one-liners or mic-drop monologues.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2026
However, to see a Black man speak out unapologetically — Foxx's tendency to freestyle and deliver iconic one-liners brought levity to the proceedings — is part of what made Sanford and Son a hit.
—Starr Rocque, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 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
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Tom Bogert, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Readers don’t fall in love with witty one-liners or mic-drop monologues.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2026
However, to see a Black man speak out unapologetically — Foxx's tendency to freestyle and deliver iconic one-liners brought levity to the proceedings — is part of what made Sanford and Son a hit.
—Starr Rocque, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 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
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-liner
Noun
-
The result is chaos, and a few too many jokes about young people not knowing how to work a fax machine or manage paper.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The meta joke is that Radcliffe was a pioneer of acting opposite tennis balls.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But all is not lost for those needing a laugh at Noem’s expense, or at the expense of the department, for that matter.—
Lorraine Ali
News,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In the background of one verse, Yebba lets out a bellowing laugh.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
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The women’s team declined their joking invitation and had to explain comments directed at them.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-liner. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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