wisecrack

[wahyz-krak]

noun

1. a smart or facetious remark.

   Synonyms: quip, witticism, jest

verb (used without object)

1. to make wisecracks.

verb (used with object)

1. to say as a wisecrack.

wisecrack

/ ˈwaɪzˌkræk /

noun

1. a flippant gibe or sardonic remark

verb

1. to make a wisecrack

Other Word Forms

• wisecracker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wisecrack¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; wise ¹ + crack

Example Sentences

Dobson's wisecracking style of magic saw him rise to prominence through the 1980s.

From BBC

Instead of throwing Ripley into the grinder with a bunch of wisecracking, trigger-happy colonial marines, the story strands her on a prison planet and foundry where more than half the inmates view her as prey.

From Salon

Indeed, Epstein’s relationship with the Beatles—the most significant facet of his professional achievement—is reduced to a series of wisecracks from the bandmates.

From Salon

Big stars: Watts wrote and directed “Wolfs” with George Clooney and Brad Pitt cast as rival “fixers” swapping wisecracks while trying to clean up a bloody accident.

From Los Angeles Times

At the retirement home, everybody’s got problems — memory loss, cancer, loneliness — but these darker moments alternate with sight gags, punchlines and snarky wisecracks in a way that somehow feels cohesive.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clowning www.thesaurus.com
• gag 
• one-liner 
• prank 
• quip 
• witticism 
• zinger