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 episode themes are also presented through confessionals featuring unfiltered one-liners, personal revelations and rapid-fire commentary.
—
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
The rugged warrior is a no-nonsense drifter who fires off more laser bolts than one-liners and looks out for the adorable Grogu, aka Baby Yoda.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 24 May 2026
For more than five decades, Saturday Night Live has turned absurd one-liners and unforgettable characters into comedy gold that lives rent-free in pop culture history.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Decades later, a new generation is discovering her character and flooding social media with clips of her most cutting one-liners.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
In the end, the reporter came to the conclusion that the one-liners were Monroe’s own, a judgment backed up by an anonymous Fox press agent who had been one of the main liaisons between Monroe and the studio.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The best reality shows—every Bravo franchise, The Kardashians, Dance Moms—are anthropological studies with campy one-liners, life blown up to exaggerated proportions.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 2 May 2026
And to those who will be there, the opportunity to see the closest people in Hart’s life (at least the famous ones) bombard him with savage one-liners and embarrassing stories is definitely a must-see.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The plot is just a format for ceaseless one-liners, sight gags and cartoonish characters.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
The rugged warrior is a no-nonsense drifter who fires off more laser bolts than one-liners and looks out for the adorable Grogu, aka Baby Yoda.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 24 May 2026
For more than five decades, Saturday Night Live has turned absurd one-liners and unforgettable characters into comedy gold that lives rent-free in pop culture history.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Decades later, a new generation is discovering her character and flooding social media with clips of her most cutting one-liners.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
In the end, the reporter came to the conclusion that the one-liners were Monroe’s own, a judgment backed up by an anonymous Fox press agent who had been one of the main liaisons between Monroe and the studio.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The best reality shows—every Bravo franchise, The Kardashians, Dance Moms—are anthropological studies with campy one-liners, life blown up to exaggerated proportions.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 2 May 2026
And to those who will be there, the opportunity to see the closest people in Hart’s life (at least the famous ones) bombard him with savage one-liners and embarrassing stories is definitely a must-see.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The plot is just a format for ceaseless one-liners, sight gags and cartoonish characters.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-liners
Noun
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Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch Johnny Carson poke fun at everyone, identify and support up-and-coming comics, entertain with clever and timeless skits, bring on musical guests and tell jokes.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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The star has been the butt of too many mean jokes, the object of veneration and a muse for film and literary retellings that have elevated her into the realm of myth.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Noun
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These people had huge laughs Thursday morning over their airport Bloody Marys after realizing their words were treated as if serious.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Sasmita laughs wrapped in the yellow like the sun sarong.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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