as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter
the senator deftly inserted some smart one-liners into an otherwise sober speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of one-liners
The Hollywood parody has one-liners and sight gags for days with every bit zanier and more elaborate than the one before.
—
Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The deceptively low-key humor of Demetri Martin was once labeled nerdy or alternative, given his smart one-liners, on-stage drawings and overall subtly.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Embry remembers going a little too dramatic with one of his one-liners, only for Williamson to reel him back.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
The episode originally aired on December 16, 2010, and has since become Housewives canon, producing a trove of one-liners and GIFs still circulating fifteen years later.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
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
As wayward posh actress Moira Rose, O’Hara’s one-liners were meme gold and earned her critical praise.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The deceptively low-key humor of Demetri Martin was once labeled nerdy or alternative, given his smart one-liners, on-stage drawings and overall subtly.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Embry remembers going a little too dramatic with one of his one-liners, only for Williamson to reel him back.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
The episode originally aired on December 16, 2010, and has since become Housewives canon, producing a trove of one-liners and GIFs still circulating fifteen years later.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
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
As wayward posh actress Moira Rose, O’Hara’s one-liners were meme gold and earned her critical praise.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-liners
Noun
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Colbert did read out several jokes that have been cut during his time on the show, crediting his writing staff for their quips.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, more than 11,000 inscriptions have been found across the city, ranging from political commentary and love declarations to sporting slogans, jokes, and poems.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Strangely, Bailey-Brown laughs at the accusation.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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Vinny will bring the laughs, as the TV personality turned stand-up comedian goes on tour and organizes a celebratory roast for his castmates.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The initial experience of Shakespeare’s meter leads to a world of discovery of a man who quite literally changed the world with witticisms and insight and has shaped every corner of humanity since the 16th century.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
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During Bloomberg’s pursuit of office, a 1990 booklet in which business colleagues had compiled his witticisms surfaced.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“One-liners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-liners. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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