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View synonyms for punch line

punch line

noun

  1. the climactic phrase or sentence in a joke, speech, advertisement, or humorous story that produces the desired effect.


punch line

noun

  1. the culminating part of a joke, funny story, etc, that gives it its humorous or dramatic point
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of punch line1

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25
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Example Sentences

Edith Piaf mournfully lists her mistakes, allowing Front a rare punch-line: “So… you do have some regrets.”

He was a self-made man, and a self-destroyed man—so he wrote his own punch line.

Palin views herself as a “punch of reality” as opposed to a punch line.

The last few years have regrettably made the phrase “Republican pollster” less a job title than a punch line.

Reelecting Gray knowing he could be indicted would once again make the District a punch line for the late-night talk shows.

Phil said, "Because people are—" And then he caught himself and waved his hand and muttered, "I forgot the punch line."

He began to hold back slyly, like a comedian building up the tension before a punch-line.

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