zinger

American  

[zing-er] / ˈzɪŋ ər /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of zinger

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

Example Sentences

Sue’s notoriety continued to swell after appearing on the popular internet talk show “Subway Takes” with the standout zinger: “Gossip is socially useful, especially to women and the marginalized.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

One of his zingers repeated by The Washington Post was, ”Well I guess the question now is, ‘What did the President know, and when did he decide he didn’t know it?'”

From Salon

Related Words

• clowning
• gag
• one-liner
• prank
• quip
• witticism