1 wisecrack | Definition of wisecrack

wisecrack

noun
wise·​crack | \ ˈwÄ«z-ˌkrak How to pronounce wisecrack (audio) \

Definition of wisecrack

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a clever or sarcastic remark

wisecrack

verb
wisecracked; wisecracking; wisecracks

Definition of wisecrack (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to make a wisecrack

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Other Words from wisecrack

Verb

wisecracker noun

Synonyms for wisecrack

Synonyms: Noun

boff (or boffo), boffola, crack, drollery, funny, gag, giggle [chiefly British], jape, jest, joke, josh, laugh, nifty, one-liner, pleasantry, quip, rib, sally, waggery, witticism, yuk (or yuck) [slang]

Synonyms: Verb

banter, chaff, fool, fun, gag, jape, jest, jive, joke, jolly, josh, kid, quip, yuk (or yuck) [slang]

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Examples of wisecrack in a Sentence

Noun

Someone in the theater was making wisecracks during the entire movie. a whispered wisecrack doubled them over in laughter

Verb

wisecracked to hide his nervousness during the auditions
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But their language is often punctuated with wisecracks, insults and taunts more suited to the schoolyard. Washington Post, "British PM ruffles feathers with ‘chlorinated chicken’ taunt," 5 Sep. 2019 The first one, released to great commercial success in 2016, pulled off the dubious trick of turning these squawking projectiles into characters, each with its own wisecracks and neuroses. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Exuberantly silly ‘Angry Birds Movie 2' flies higher than the first," 15 Aug. 2019 The first one, released to great commercial success in 2016, pulled off the dubious trick of turning these squawking projectiles into characters, each with its own wisecracks and neuroses. Los Angeles Times, "Review: Exuberantly silly ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2' flies higher than the first," 12 Aug. 2019 Taurasi rarely leaves a group setting without dropping a wisecrack. Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Diana Taurasi reaching her basketball and life goal every day, with plenty to say along the way," 12 July 2019 Until last week, the comedian and television creator Donald Glover was working on an animated series for FX about the Marvel superhero Deadpool, a violent mercenary character known for his wisecracks and toilet humor. Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, "Donald Glover Publishes Spoof ‘Deadpool’ Script After Exiting Series," 28 Mar. 2018 The other quarter is made up of whatever wisecracks your veteran waiter is sure to dole out. Bon AppĂ©tit, "There are restaurant lists with rankings. And there are restaurant lists with purpose. This is the latter.," 9 July 2019 His sexist wisecracks, wise-guy sneers, and salesman’s banter are as colorful as his assaultive obscenities. Troy Patterson, The New Yorker, "“The Loudest Voice” Eviscerates Roger Ailes and Fox News," 30 June 2019 Photo: iStock/Getty Images Republicans must resist the temptation simply to dismiss these radical Democratic ideas with wisecracks and insults. Karl Rove, WSJ, "Stopping the Socialist Resurgence," 28 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Pundits were wisecracking about how bad the Lions had to be that a 31-year-old in the prime of his career would rather quit than play another down for them. Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, "Mitch Albom: Barry Sanders retirement a bombshell we should have saw coming," 21 July 2019 For four seasons, Wright drew laughs as Willie Tanner, the harried homeowner forced to deal with the kooky shenanigans of a wisecracking alien named ALF (an acronym for Alien Life Form) who crash-landed into his garage from the planet Melmac. Storm Gifford, chicagotribune.com, "Actor Max Wright, who played father on ‘Alf,’ dies at 75," 27 June 2019 About a week after a chance pairing in a junior golf tournament, Tony Soerries was surprised to hear from the wisecracking 16-year-old who kept him laughing that summer day. Mike Berardino, Indianapolis Star, "Former Ball State golfer reunites with boyhood friend for surprising US Senior Open berth," 25 June 2019 The franchise has always been aimed at horror fans who don’t take the genre too seriously; as its installments have worn on, Chucky’s wisecracking, glibly sociopathic persona has set the tone for the franchise. Aja Romano, Vox, "The new Child’s Play is nonsensical and fun. Just don’t expect it to be like the old Child’s Play.," 21 June 2019 Fortunately, former Thor: Ragnorak co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson prove themselves worthy successors to that dynamic duo, bringing their own brand of wisecracking buddy-cop chemistry to this standalone sequel. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Review: Men in Black: International is a solid addition to the popular franchise," 14 June 2019 James Haefele, a management consultant in Oxford, Conn., subjects suspected scam callers to a blast from his air horn or puts his wisecracking teenagers on the line. James R. Hagerty, WSJ, "Everyone Loathes Robocalls. Some People Try to Get Even.," 20 Dec. 2018 Some of us imagined him as eternally youthful, wisecracking, knowingly amused. James Freeman, WSJ, "Burt Reynolds and Washington’s ‘Senior’ Suspects," 7 Sep. 2018 Or that wisecracking Chrissy Teigen had postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter Luna. Sara Gaynes Levy, Vogue, "Why Gisele BĂŒndchen’s Honest Conversation About Suicide Is So Important Now," 26 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wisecrack.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of wisecrack

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1924, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for wisecrack

wisecrack

noun

English Language Learners Definition of wisecrack

informal : a funny and smart comment or joke

wisecrack

noun
wise·​crack | \ ˈwÄ«z-ˌkrak