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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in vomits
to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth
the terrible smell of rotting fish made me gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
However, the iconic couch gags are far less frequent these days.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 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
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
There are hyper-local gags about the Williamsburg bar Union Pool and the undesirability of living in the Financial District, and a creature known as Rat Pizza — like Pizza Rat in reverse.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
However, the iconic couch gags are far less frequent these days.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 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
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
-
One of his jokes in particular has drawn new attention, given the shooting incident at the dinner on Saturday, forcing the Secret Service to rush the Trumps and other administration officials from the dais and other seats near the stage.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Kimmel delivered the jokes about the first lady at a special version of his show that included his version of a fake monologue for the WHCD.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And compared to some of Fleury’s past pranks on teammates, a few misplaced letters on a nameplate would be relatively light.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, the pranks are all in good fun, with owners keeping things safe and playful.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
In the second season, a patient under the influence wraps his arm around a young nurse’s neck and chokes her until the charge nurse intervenes.—
Jennifer Obel,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Jasmine almost chokes on her corn dog when that comes out of Janet’s mouth.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some of the masterminds behind NBC‘s Saturday Night Live Season 51 brought the laughs all the way from Studio 8H to the DGA Theater to break down the process behind keeping the iconic sketch comedy engine running after more than five decades for Deadline Contenders TV.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Their laughs and chatter fill the countryside and one another’s hearts, the merriment binding them all together like caterpillars in one big cocoon.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Davis occasionally destabilizes this very familiar soundtrack with sly production tricks from Horne.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
-
However, deer are adaptable creatures and often get used to the tricks put in their path, eventually ignoring attempts to deter them, Walke says.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gags. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
