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
This year’s 14 names come from many of the one-liners used in a goofy Super Bowl LIX beer ad, set in a cul-de-sac, that ran last February.
—
Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
The Chiefs are back, just as quickly as they were dismissed, and that’s in more than ways than post-game one-liners exuding some confidence after a convincing 30-17 win against the red-hot Lions.
—Sam McDowell 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Though the dream stalker is genuinely terrifying in the 1984 original, his cultural ubiquity grew as the character became less of a boogeyman than a kind of homicidal jester, one who spouts groan-worthy one-liners before spilling your guts.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
Black has turned the headshot into a one-liner, the one-liner into a shrug, and the shrug into a profound statement on why a character like Parker has resonated across more than a half-century of American crime.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
The Chiefs are back, just as quickly as they were dismissed, and that’s in more than ways than post-game one-liners exuding some confidence after a convincing 30-17 win against the red-hot Lions.
—Sam McDowell 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Though the dream stalker is genuinely terrifying in the 1984 original, his cultural ubiquity grew as the character became less of a boogeyman than a kind of homicidal jester, one who spouts groan-worthy one-liners before spilling your guts.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
Black has turned the headshot into a one-liner, the one-liner into a shrug, and the shrug into a profound statement on why a character like Parker has resonated across more than a half-century of American crime.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-liner
Noun
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The comedy is a tonal mess, veering between underdeveloped jokes and unearned sentiment.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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How did Joy nearly die in the wilderness of Colorado, a place that, in a joke the film keeps repeating, is almost all white people?—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Spartans got the last laugh for now, too, taking both games.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Katz said, feigning familiarity with the leader’s influence and drawing laughs from the audience.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Self was in a joking mood when asked about the squad’s stellar defensive play.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
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Jones eventually got into his joking bag, and Bleek took that opportunity to seriously set the record straight one last time.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-liner. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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