1
as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter the movie featured a gag involving a chicken driving a car that audiences thought was hysterically funny
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Relevance
2
as in pranks
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke played a gag on their teammate by putting shaving cream in his hat
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1
as in vomits
to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth the terrible smell of rotting fish made me gag
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2
3
as in quips
to make jokes the actor typically mugs and gags through his movies, but in his latest vehicle he plays it straight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 gags
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026 Instead of cozying up in its own nostalgia, Titanique treats it as just another toy in a big box of gags, many cheap and all nutty and shameless. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026 Earlier in their conversation, Mulaney prefaced that Forte often enjoyed pulling gags that seemed to prank himself rather than the other person. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026 Kelly’s videos, delivered in her distinctive, pitchy voice (think Valley girl with notes of humdrum detachment a la the famously monotone comedian Ben Stein), are both personal and woven with running gags. —Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2026 Allen’s shows are designed to be evergreens with few topical gags so they can be repeated. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026 Don't forget to dust off your favorite April Fool's gags today. —Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026 Some of the gags are inspired, some are exasperating, none of them are presented in a way that suggests the filmmakers know the difference, and all of them are shoved down your throat until they’re diminished enough to swallow. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026 But what was served up were stale, pale sketches that seemed to have been exhumed from some old codger’s book of gags from 19 bloody 50! —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026 Some gags land, others don’t, and the script’s sudden bursts of melancholy dependably catch you in the gut. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
With charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent — to borrow RuPaul’s mantra (the lipsynch-for-your-lifeboats number is a highlight) — the comic ensemble makes the gags work by sheer will. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026 Instead of cozying up in its own nostalgia, Titanique treats it as just another toy in a big box of gags, many cheap and all nutty and shameless. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026 Earlier in their conversation, Mulaney prefaced that Forte often enjoyed pulling gags that seemed to prank himself rather than the other person. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026 Kelly’s videos, delivered in her distinctive, pitchy voice (think Valley girl with notes of humdrum detachment a la the famously monotone comedian Ben Stein), are both personal and woven with running gags. —Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2026 Allen’s shows are designed to be evergreens with few topical gags so they can be repeated. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026 Don't forget to dust off your favorite April Fool's gags today. —Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026 Some of the gags are inspired, some are exasperating, none of them are presented in a way that suggests the filmmakers know the difference, and all of them are shoved down your throat until they’re diminished enough to swallow. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026 But what was served up were stale, pale sketches that seemed to have been exhumed from some old codger’s book of gags from 19 bloody 50! —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Speaking with Stern on post-Globes Monday for an episode that aired Tuesday, Glaser shared why gags about the current political climate were absent from the show. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026 Some gags land, others don’t, and the script’s sudden bursts of melancholy dependably catch you in the gut. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gags
Noun
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And every family has that annoying uncle that makes horrible jokes or one situation after another.— Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
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The pages restate themes and jokes, the same words on many pages, each with little iterations.— Adam Moss, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Of course, the pranks are all in good fun, with owners keeping things safe and playful.— Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
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According to a 2025 roundup of April Fools’ food promotions by the New York Post, several national brands followed Dunkin’s lead by offering tangible rewards instead of traditional pranks.— Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shows were led by a sentient wad of meat, a talk-show host who vomits in front of guests, and a reality-TV star who never shows his face.— Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
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Absinthe-eyed, she projectile-vomits blunt observations and also oysters onto the heavies, overimbibing her way into her own grave once she’s inevitably discarded with a shot and shove down a stairwell (a barely-there John Magaro plays one of the gangsters).— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jasmine almost chokes on her corn dog when that comes out of Janet’s mouth.— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
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Then Leaphorn appears, knocks her down, and chokes her.— Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Wonder even did an impression of Murphy’s impression of him, which received big laughs from the crowd.— John Ross, Vanity Fair, 19 Apr. 2026
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While at my pool cabana, our private butler even connected us to another like-minded visiting family, which resulted in unexpectedly great conversation and laughs.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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From fusion tapas restaurants to a minor league baseball team, Dunedin has plenty of delightful tricks up its sleeve.— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
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On a recent thread on the r/GLP1microdosing subreddit, women shared their tips and tricks for hiding medication from their partners.— Rebecca Flint Marx, SELF, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/gags. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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