zinger

[zing-er]

noun

Informal.

1. a quick, witty, or pointed remark or retort.

   During the debate she made a couple of zingers that deflated the opposition.

2. a surprise, shock, or piece of electrifying news.

   The president's resignation was a real zinger.

3. a person or thing that has vitality or animation or produces startling results.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zinger¹

First recorded in 1950–55; zing + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Yes, debates are important, but now it’s the one-liners, the zingers replayed on YouTube that matter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One of Ms. Badenoch’s best zingers: “While Britain was redefining what a woman is, China was building five nuclear reactors.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the real problem with Gutfeld’s comedy is that he tries to offer zingers to versions of reality he has entirely fabricated, like his crack about math being what happens to other people.

Read more on Salon

They also land good zingers about what Gen Z considers passé.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the first four episodes made available for review, Wednesday’s zingers aren’t as wickedly sharp as they once were.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clowning www.thesaurus.com
• gag 
• one-liner 
• prank 
• quip 
• witticism