OpenSynonym

gag

/ɡæɡ/

NOUN

1. A joke or mischievous prank

A joke, humorous action, or mischievous trick intended to amuse, surprise, or make people laugh.

1.1. Jokes and humorous remarks

A humorous remark, witty comment, or short comic performance intended to entertain an audience.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The comedian delivered a hilarious gag that had the audience laughing.
  • The film scene required the actor to perform a well-timed physical gag.
  • During the meeting, the boss shared an office-friendly gag to lighten the atmosphere.

Related Words

1.2. Practical jokes and mischievous tricks

A playful trick or humorous act performed to surprise, tease, or fool another person for amusement.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The children couldn't stop giggling after playing a silly gag on their unsuspecting friend.
  • The clever political cartoon included a satirical gag that resonated with readers.

Related Words

NOUN

2. A device used to prevent someone from speaking

An object placed in or over someone's mouth to prevent speech, such as a piece of cloth or a device secured with a strap.

2.1. Devices for silencing or restraining speech

An object used to cover, block, or restrain the mouth so that a person cannot speak.

Synonyms

  • muzzle
  • mouthpiece

Examples

  • The kidnapper placed a gag over the victim's mouth to prevent him from shouting.

Related Words

  • restraint
  • mouth
  • silencing
  • tape
  • strap
  • ball gag
  • blindfold

NOUN

3. An order forbidding discussion of a subject

An official order, rule, or restriction that prohibits people from discussing or publicly revealing information about a particular case or subject.

3.1. Restrictions on speech and disclosure

A formal or legal restriction that prevents people from speaking about, discussing, or disclosing certain information.

Synonyms

  • silencing order
  • speech restriction
  • publication ban

Antonyms

  • disclosure
  • revelation

Examples

  • The court imposed a gag on the parties involved in the case.
  • The journalist challenged the gag order because it restricted public discussion.

Related Words

  • censorship
  • confidentiality
  • secrecy
  • suppression
  • non-disclosure
  • court order
  • legal restriction
  • freedom of speech

NOUN

4. A comic device or trick used to create a special effect

A device, trick, or theatrical technique used to produce a humorous or unusual effect, especially in entertainment.

4.1. Comic effects and theatrical devices

A technique, device, or contrivance used to create a humorous effect or make a performance more entertaining.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The director added a visual gag to make the scene more entertaining.
  • The performer used a clever theatrical gag to surprise the audience.

Related Words

  • stagecraft
  • special effect
  • prop
  • performance
  • comedy
  • visual humor
  • theatrical effect

NOUN

5. A convulsion of the upper digestive tract

An involuntary contraction of the throat or upper digestive tract, usually associated with nausea or the urge to vomit.

5.1. Retching and involuntary throat contractions

A physical reaction involving the throat and stomach that produces the sensation or movement associated with vomiting.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The strong smell caused a sudden gag.
  • He experienced a gag after swallowing the unpleasant-tasting medicine.

Related Words

NOUN

6. A mouthful that causes retching or choking

A piece or quantity of food or another substance that makes someone feel nauseated, choke, or begin to retch.

6.1. Something that triggers nausea or choking

A substance or mouthful that provokes an involuntary reaction of nausea, choking, or retching.

Synonyms

  • mouthful
  • morsel

Examples

  • The bitter medicine was such a gag that he struggled to swallow it.

Related Words

VERB

7. To experience the vomiting reflex

To have involuntary contractions of the throat or stomach that produce the sensation of choking or the urge to vomit.

7.1. Retching and choking

To make involuntary throat or stomach movements associated with nausea, choking, or the urge to vomit.

Synonyms

  • retch
  • heave
  • choke
  • regurgitate
  • vomit
  • spew
  • hurl
  • barf
  • puke
  • upchuck
  • throw up
  • disgorge

Antonyms

  • breathe
  • respire

Examples

  • The unpleasant smell made him gag.
  • She began to gag after tasting the spoiled food.

Related Words

VERB

8. To cause someone to retch or feel nauseated

To make someone experience nausea or involuntary contractions of the throat and stomach that may lead to vomiting.

8.1. Causing nausea and retching

To provoke an unpleasant physical reaction that makes someone feel sick or begin to retch.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • soothe

Examples

  • The foul odor was enough to gag anyone who entered the room.
  • The graphic description made some listeners gag.

Related Words

VERB

9. To restrain someone from speaking by blocking the mouth

To prevent someone from speaking by placing an object in or over the mouth.

9.1. Physically silencing or muffling someone

To stop someone from speaking by covering, blocking, or restraining the mouth.

Synonyms

  • muzzle
  • muffle
  • silence
  • stifle
  • suppress
  • bottle up
  • cork
  • cork up
  • tape up
  • smother

Antonyms

Examples

  • The kidnappers gagged the hostage to prevent him from calling for help.
  • The prisoner was gagged before being transported.

Related Words

  • restraint
  • censorship
  • silencing
  • confinement
  • mouth
  • speech
  • voice

VERB

10. To restrain someone's speech without physical means

To prevent or discourage someone from speaking freely, expressing opinions, or revealing information.

10.1. Suppressing speech and expression

To silence someone through authority, pressure, censorship, or other nonphysical restrictions on communication.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The government attempted to gag journalists who criticized its policies.
  • The new policy was criticized for gagging employees who wanted to report misconduct.

Related Words

  • censorship
  • oppression
  • intimidation
  • restriction
  • suppression
  • freedom of expression
  • self-censorship

VERB

11. To deceive or trick someone

To deceive, fool, or cheat someone through misleading statements or dishonest actions.

11.1. Deceiving and fooling others

To mislead someone by using a trick, false information, or dishonest methods.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The salesman tried to gag the unsuspecting customer into buying a worthless product.
  • The dishonest dealer gagged his customers with a misleading offer.

Related Words