gag

1 of 2

verb

ˈgag 

gagged; gagging

transitive verb

1

a

: to restrict use of the mouth of by inserting something into it to prevent speech or outcry

b

: to prevent from exercising freedom of speech or expression

trying to gag the press

legally gagged from discussing the case

c

: to pry or hold open with a gag

2

: to provide or write quips or pranks for

gag a show

3

: to choke or cause to retch

intransitive verb

1

a

: choke

also : to suffer a throat spasm that makes swallowing or breathing difficult

b

: retch

2

: to be unable to endure something : balk

The boys gagged at all the kissing and goo-goo eyes.

3

: to make quips

gagger noun

gag

2 of 2

noun

1

: something thrust into the mouth to keep it open or to prevent speech or outcry

2

: an official check or restraint on debate or free speech

a gag rule

3

: a laugh-provoking remark or act

4

: prank, trick

Synonyms

Verb

• barf
• heave
• hurl
• puke
• retch
• spew
• spit up
• throw up
• upchuck
• vomit

Noun

• boff
• boffo
• boffola
• crack
• drollery
• funny
• giggle [chiefly British]
• jape
• jest
• joke
• josh
• laugh
• nifty
• one-liner
• pleasantry
• quip
• rib
• sally
• waggery
• wisecrack
• witticism
• yuk [slang]
• yuck
• yak
• yock

Examples of gag in a Sentence

Verb

The government is trying to gag the press.

the terrible smell of rotting fish made me gag

Noun

The movie relies on simpleminded gags for laughs.

They hid his clothes as a gag.

They tied up the hostages and put gags in their mouths.

The government is trying to put a gag on the press.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the very least, the New York trial isn’t doing Trump any measurable good, despite his daily denunciations of the judge, the prosecutor and the gag order that doesn’t seem to be gagging him. —Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024

The Watch What Happens Live host took to Instagram to share how much he was gagged. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English gaggen "to strangle," of imitative origin

Noun

derivative of gag entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gag

• gag order
• gag rule
• running joke/gag
• sight gag

Kids Definition

gag

1 of 2 verb

ˈgag 

gagged; gagging

1

: to prevent from speaking or crying out by or as if by stopping up the mouth

2

a

: to vomit or cause to feel like vomiting

b

: choke entry 1 sense 2

3

: to be unable to endure something : balk

4

: to tell jokes

gag

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: something thrust into the mouth especially to prevent speech or outcry

b

: a check to free speech

2

: something said or done to cause laughter

3

: prank