punch line

noun

: the sentence, statement, or phrase (as in a joke) that makes the point

Examples of punch line in a Sentence

She didn't understand the punch line.
Recent Examples on the Web Not that long ago, public figures such as Carlson and Musk might have been embarrassed to be seen using political violence as a punch line. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024 Harris’s campaign has tried to reclaim the punch lines. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024 Capron added an image of his face superimposed over a kitchen apron as a punch line. Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024 What’s even worse is how this story has, so quickly, become a cultural punch line among people of every political persuasion. Roxane Gay, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for punch line 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punch line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of punch line was in 1916

Dictionary Entries Near punch line

Cite this Entry

“Punch line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch%20line. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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