gag

[ gag ]

/ gæg /

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See synonyms for: gag / gagged / gagging on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), gagged, gag·ging.

to 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.

verb (used without object), gagged, gag·ging.

to retch or choke.

noun

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR gag

2 curb, stifle; suppress.

See synonyms for gag on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of gag

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”

Words nearby gag

gaff rig, gaff-rigged, gaff sail, gaff topsail, gaff-topsail catfish, gag, gaga, gagaku, Gagarin, Gagauzi, gag-bit

Other definitions for gag (2 of 3)

gag²

[ gag ]

/ gæg /

Informal.

noun

a joke, especially one introduced into a script or an actor's part.

any contrived piece of wordplay or horseplay.

verb (used without object), gagged, gag·ging.

to tell jokes or make amusing remarks.

to introduce gags in acting.

to play on another's credulity, as by telling false stories.

verb (used with object), gagged, gag·ging.

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

Origin of gag

First recorded in 1770–80; perhaps special use of gag¹

Other definitions for gag (3 of 3)

gag³

[ gag ]

/ gæg /

noun, plural (especially collectively) gag, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) gags.

a serranid game fish, Mycteroperca microlepsis, found along the southeastern coast of the United States.

any of several related fishes.

Origin of gag

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; origin uncertain

Dictionary.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 Post
The 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 Post
These 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|Fortune
It 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 News

The 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|DAILY BEAST
The 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|DAILY BEAST
Neil 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|DAILY BEAST
They 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|DAILY BEAST
And 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|DAILY BEAST
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!
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 McElroy
Bumper felt a tickling sensation in his throat, and he wanted to gag, but the bill prevented him.
Bumper, The White Rabbit|George Ethelbert Walsh
The 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)

gag¹

/ (ɡæɡ) /

verb gags, gagging or gagged

(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

noun

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)

Word Origin for gag

C15 gaggen; perhaps imitative of a gasping sound

British Dictionary definitions for gag (2 of 2)

gag²

/ (ɡæɡ) informal /

noun

a joke or humorous story, esp one told by a professional comedian

a hoax, practical joke, etche did it for a gag

verb gags, gagging or gagged

(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

Word Origin for gag

C19: perhaps special use of gag 1

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

OTHER WORDS FOR gag

Origin of gag

Words nearby gag

Other definitions for gag (2 of 3)

Origin of gag

Other definitions for gag (3 of 3)

Origin of gag

Words related to gag

How to use gag in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gag (1 of 2)

Word Origin for gag

British Dictionary definitions for gag (2 of 2)

Word Origin for gag