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
Sharing a quick, creative one-liner about how life is going, on the other hand, is more doable.
—
Angela Haupt, Time, 7 May 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi were both battle-tested in the art of verbal combat and pithy one-liners as Fox News regulars.
—Neal Rothschild, Axios, 4 May 2025
People quickly developed an interest in the beauty queen’s one-liners and big personality, and her path to stardom began.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
It’s got heart, it’s got real character humor, and [is] not filled with one-liners.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Angela Haupt, Time, 7 May 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi were both battle-tested in the art of verbal combat and pithy one-liners as Fox News regulars.
—Neal Rothschild, Axios, 4 May 2025
People quickly developed an interest in the beauty queen’s one-liners and big personality, and her path to stardom began.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
It’s got heart, it’s got real character humor, and [is] not filled with one-liners.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-liner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-liner
Noun
-
Nikki Glaser applauds Joan’s candor about aging and plastic surgery, and Aubrey Plaza retires Joan’s not-so-politically-correct jokes.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
Hitting the NBCUniversal upfront stage on Monday morning, Meyers gave a strong monologue tweaking his corporate overlords — and one joke at the very end elicited the biggest laughs (and gasps!) from the audience.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
Since Carter and Andersen could make each other laugh, that was enough.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Photos were taken, laughs were shared and much of the cast gave each other warm embraces all evening.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
His frequent presence in lecture halls advanced him as one of America’s earliest stand-up comedians, and many of his wry witticisms, whether they were written or performed, remain part of the public conversation.—
Danny Heitman,
Christian Science Monitor,
9 May 2025
-
Users gain access to exclusive trivia and witticisms in real time (synced with what’s happening in the movie).—
Brooks Barnes,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-liner. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share