as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
the senator deftly inserted some smart one-liners into an otherwise sober speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 one-liner
Schwarzenegger delivers his trademark late 80s action and some truly iconic one-liners as Quaid uncovers a corporate conspiracy and battles against an array of villains, including his fake wife.
—
Ian Stokes, Space.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Frank DiPalermo gets some great one-liners as Bernie, the lonely homeowner who dotes on his pampered Pomeranian, Sophia.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Molina gets some very good one-liners.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025
And then Sean McVay was sprinting to the podium to rip his fourth-down play call, answering mostly in short one-liners, before heading back into the locker room to own the call with a group of wide receivers watching it back on a cellphone.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Ian Stokes, Space.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Frank DiPalermo gets some great one-liners as Bernie, the lonely homeowner who dotes on his pampered Pomeranian, Sophia.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Molina gets some very good one-liners.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025
And then Sean McVay was sprinting to the podium to rip his fourth-down play call, answering mostly in short one-liners, before heading back into the locker room to own the call with a group of wide receivers watching it back on a cellphone.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-liner
Noun
-
If that means being the frequent butt of jokes for his age, that's fine, too.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Try to ski with a friend, who might distract me with a story or a joke.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Spartans got the last laugh for now, too, taking both games.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Katz said, feigning familiarity with the leader’s influence and drawing laughs from the audience.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
-
Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-liner. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share