as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter
a drama critic who is best remembered for his biting witticisms
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
-
Often the jokes are tied to an upcoming holiday or event.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
The Tribeca Film Festival has publicly condemned jokes made on the red carpet at the premiere of The Wedding Entertainer (The Tale of Moishe Badhan).—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
There are some laughs that are pretty regular, consistent.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
-
For Marlon Wayans, comedy isn’t simply about the laughs.—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Witticisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witticisms. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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