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View synonyms for gag

gag

1

[ gag ]

verb (used with object)

, gagged, gag·ging.
  1. to stop up the mouth of (a person) by putting something in it, thus preventing speech, shouts, etc.
  2. to restrain by force or authority from freedom of speech; silence.

    Synonyms: suppress, stifle, curb

  3. to fasten open the jaws of, as in surgical operations.
  4. to cause to retch or choke.
  5. Metalworking. to straighten or bend (a bar, rail, etc.) with a gag.


verb (used without object)

, gagged, gag·ging.
  1. to retch or choke.

noun

  1. something put into a person's mouth to prevent speech, shouting, etc.
  2. any forced or arbitrary suppression of freedom of speech.
  3. a surgical instrument for holding the jaws open.
  4. Metalworking. a shaped block of steel used with a press to straighten or bend a bar, rail, etc.

gag

2

[ gag ]

noun

  1. a joke, especially one introduced into a script or an actor's part.
  2. any contrived piece of wordplay or horseplay.

verb (used without object)

, gagged, gag·ging.
  1. to tell jokes or make amusing remarks.
  2. to introduce gags in acting.
  3. to play on another's credulity, as by telling false stories.

verb (used with object)

, gagged, gag·ging.
  1. to introduce usually comic interpolations into (a script, an actor's part, or the like) (usually followed by up ).

gag

3

[ gag ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) gag, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) gags.
  1. a serranid game fish, Mycteroperca microlepsis, found along the southeastern coast of the United States.
  2. any of several related fishes.

gag

1

/ ɡæɡ /

noun

  1. a joke or humorous story, esp one told by a professional comedian
  2. a hoax, practical joke, etc

    he did it for a gag

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. intr to tell jokes or funny stories, as comedians in nightclubs, etc
  2. often foll by up theatre
    1. to interpolate lines or business not in the actor's stage part, usually comic and improvised
    2. to perform a stage jest, either spoken or based on movement
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

gag

2

/ ɡæɡ /

verb

  1. tr to stop up (a person's mouth), esp with a piece of cloth, etc, to prevent him or her from speaking or crying out
  2. tr to suppress or censor (free expression, information, etc)
  3. to retch or cause to retch
  4. intr to struggle for breath; choke
  5. tr to hold (the jaws) of (a person or animal) apart with a surgical gag
  6. tr to apply a gag-bit to (a horse)
  7. be gagging for or be gagging to slang.
    to be very eager to have or do something
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a piece of cloth, rope, etc, stuffed into or tied across the mouth
  2. any restraint on or suppression of information, free speech, etc
  3. a surgical device for keeping the jaws apart, as during a tonsillectomy
  4. parliamentary procedure another word for closure
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gag1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English gaggen “to strangle, suffocate”; perhaps imitative of the sound made in choking; compare Old Norse adjective gag-háls “with the neck thrown back”

Origin of gag2

First recorded in 1770–80; perhaps special use of gag 1

Origin of gag3

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; origin uncertain
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gag1

C19: perhaps special use of gag 1

Origin of gag2

C15 gaggen ; perhaps imitative of a gasping sound
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Example Sentences

But when a serial sex predator is playing fanboy, the gag reflex kicks in.

The following page details a tribute gag the Simpsons team inserted into the background of a scene.

Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch Neil Patrick Harris in fishnets, high heels, and glitter could be a great gag.

They obtained a gag order against the defendant and his lawyers restricting what they could say about the case for several months.

And bonus points for the school bus that burst into flames with the comic timing of a Simpsons gag.

Braceway had made the trip to gag Morley, to see that he didn't uncover something which, after all, Morley didn't know—and I did!

They may buck and gag you, as they ought to, 'bout every day, but that won't be nothin' to the welting one of us 'll261 give you.

Bumper felt a tickling sensation in his throat, and he wanted to gag, but the bill prevented him.

The tickling went on for some time until Bumper, in spite of himself, began to gag and retch.

"'Cause I remember that coat gag now," said Al with a far-off look.

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