gag
1to stop up the mouth of (a person) by putting something in it, thus preventing speech, shouts, etc.
to restrain by force or authority from freedom of speech; silence.
to fasten open the jaws of, as in surgical operations.
to cause to retch or choke.
Metalworking. to straighten or bend (a bar, rail, etc.) with a gag.
to retch or choke.
something put into a person's mouth to prevent speech, shouting, etc.
any forced or arbitrary suppression of freedom of speech.
a surgical instrument for holding the jaws open.
Metalworking. a shaped block of steel used with a press to straighten or bend a bar, rail, etc.
Origin of gag
1Other words for gag
Words Nearby gag
Other definitions for gag (2 of 3)
a joke, especially one introduced into a script or an actor's part.
any contrived piece of wordplay or horseplay.
to tell jokes or make amusing remarks.
to introduce gags in acting.
to play on another's credulity, as by telling false stories.
to introduce usually comic interpolations into (a script, an actor's part, or the like) (usually followed by up).
Origin of gag
2Other definitions for gag (3 of 3)
a serranid game fish, Mycteroperca microlepsis, found along the southeastern coast of the United States.
any of several related fishes.
Origin of gag
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use gag in a sentence
The movie was bursting with brilliant visual and verbal gags that paid irreverent tribute to Universal Studios horror films such as “Frankenstein” with Boris Karloff and “Dracula” with Bela Lugosi.
Cloris Leachman, Oscar-winning actress who played Frau Blücher (neighhh!) in ‘Young Frankenstein,’ dies at 94 | Adam Bernstein | January 27, 2021 | Washington PostThe gags come in hard and heavy with the kind of pop culture references you’d find in a Dreamworks 3-D animated movie, which make me wonder if the game is better suited for children.
‘Immortals: Fenyx Rising’ is a worthy adventure wavering between cringe and charm | Gene Park | November 30, 2020 | Washington PostThese letters, which are the subject of ongoing constitutional disputes in federal courts, allow the FBI to include a gag order with demands for data—barring the company from even disclosing the existence of such a request.
Coinbase received 1,914 requests in 6 months from FBI, ICE, and other agencies | Jeff | October 16, 2020 | FortuneIt is critical for the Kenyan government to look to its own policies and increase budgetary allocation for sexual and reproductive health services so that they cushion the impact of the global gag rule.
Insights Into How The US Abortion Gag Rule Affects Health Services In Kenya | LGBTQ-Editor | October 2, 2020 | No Straight NewsThe initial indications are that, at least to date, publishers are underwhelmed by the economics and offended by the gag order.
‘Quite cynical’: Publishers leery about Google’s $1 billion news licensing pot | Lucinda Southern | October 1, 2020 | Digiday
But when a serial sex predator is playing fanboy, the gag reflex kicks in.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking | M.L. Nestel | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe following page details a tribute gag the Simpsons team inserted into the background of a scene.
Here’s the Lost Judd Apatow ‘Simpsons’ Episode, Penned by Judd Apatow | Asawin Suebsaeng | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTNeil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch Neil Patrick Harris in fishnets, high heels, and glitter could be a great gag.
Hedwig, Hugh & Michael Cera: 12 Powerhouse Theater Performances of 2014 | Janice Kaplan | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey obtained a gag order against the defendant and his lawyers restricting what they could say about the case for several months.
Sentencing Looms for Barrett Brown, Advocate for “Anonymous” | Kevin M. Gallagher | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd bonus points for the school bus that burst into flames with the comic timing of a Simpsons gag.
The Walking Dead’s ‘Self Help’: A Grim Show Displays Its Comedy Streak, and A Major Reveal | Melissa Leon | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBraceway 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!
The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.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.
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6) | John McElroyBumper felt a tickling sensation in his throat, and he wanted to gag, but the bill prevented him.
Bumper, The White Rabbit | George Ethelbert WalshThe tickling went on for some time until Bumper, in spite of himself, began to gag and retch.
Bumper, The White Rabbit | George Ethelbert Walsh"'Cause I remember that coat gag now," said Al with a far-off look.
The Varmint | Owen Johnson
British Dictionary definitions for gag (1 of 2)
/ (ɡæɡ) /
(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
(tr) to suppress or censor (free expression, information, etc)
to retch or cause to retch
(intr) to struggle for breath; choke
(tr) to hold (the jaws) of (a person or animal) apart with a surgical gag
(tr) to apply a gag-bit to (a horse)
be gagging for or be gagging to slang to be very eager to have or do something
a piece of cloth, rope, etc, stuffed into or tied across the mouth
any restraint on or suppression of information, free speech, etc
a surgical device for keeping the jaws apart, as during a tonsillectomy
parliamentary procedure another word for closure (def. 4)
Origin of gag
1British Dictionary definitions for gag (2 of 2)
/ (ɡæɡ) informal /
a joke or humorous story, esp one told by a professional comedian
a hoax, practical joke, etc: he did it for a gag
(intr) to tell jokes or funny stories, as comedians in nightclubs, etc
(often foll by up) theatre
to interpolate lines or business not in the actor's stage part, usually comic and improvised
to perform a stage jest, either spoken or based on movement
Origin of gag
2Collins 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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