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
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
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
-
Weekend Update The Weekend Updates desk jokes are fine to good, especially considering some of them were rewritten under duress.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Cole framed his opening monologue like a prayer, with jokes about Teyana Taylor’s relationship status, 50 Cent’s pettiness and Nicki Minaj’s politics.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Strangely, Bailey-Brown laughs at the accusation.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Witticisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witticisms. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
