as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter
a drama critic who is best remembered for his biting witticisms
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 witticisms
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
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
Perhaps the only thing Gore Vidal enjoyed more than dispensing witticisms—or sipping a Macallan single malt—was being photographed.
—Air Mail, 27 Sep. 2025
Batemen gets a few moving monologues, but Vince’s heavier dose of morbid witticisms aren’t enough to overcome his pervasive selfishness and abominable behavior (nor is a late-arriving revelation about his past).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Discontent is brimming with witticisms and scathing observations about our modern-day malaise.
—Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
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
Playing Jimmy, McKellen gets to unleash some truly withering witticisms.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
The American brand founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard has tapped the French artist, best known for his block-capital witticisms, for the collection dropping Tuesday.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
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
Perhaps the only thing Gore Vidal enjoyed more than dispensing witticisms—or sipping a Macallan single malt—was being photographed.
—Air Mail, 27 Sep. 2025
Batemen gets a few moving monologues, but Vince’s heavier dose of morbid witticisms aren’t enough to overcome his pervasive selfishness and abominable behavior (nor is a late-arriving revelation about his past).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Discontent is brimming with witticisms and scathing observations about our modern-day malaise.
—Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
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
Playing Jimmy, McKellen gets to unleash some truly withering witticisms.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
The American brand founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard has tapped the French artist, best known for his block-capital witticisms, for the collection dropping Tuesday.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witticisms
Noun
-
Tom Brady, who was the victim of Netflix’s last celebrity roast in 2024, made a surprise appearance at Kevin Hart’s roast Sunday to launch a few jokes at the comedian before the night got underway.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
11 May 2026
-
Insults were par for the course at The Roast of Kevin Hart, but some jokes had more acid than others.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The tech is terrifying, but it’s treated matter-of-factly, played for barked laughs.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
How important to you is comedy and releasing tension with laughs?—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Witticisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witticisms. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
