Gag vs. Puke — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 11, 2023
Gag" refers to the reflexive act of retching due to discomfort in the throat; "puke" is the informal term for vomiting.
Difference Between Gag and Puke
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Gag" and "puke" are related in the aspect of bodily reactions but differ in their stages and intensity. "Gag" typically refers to the involuntary, reflexive act of opening the mouth and retching, usually resulting from discomfort or irritation in the throat or a distasteful experience. It represents the body’s reflex to expel harmful substances, even without actual expulsion of stomach contents. In contrast, "puke" is a colloquial term for vomiting, where one actually expels the contents of the stomach through the mouth. It is more intense and definitive than gagging, representing a body’s more advanced reaction to rid itself of harmful or disagreeable substances.
While "gag" primarily emphasizes the reflexive act of retching or a contraction of the throat muscles, "puke" emphasizes the expulsion of stomach contents. "Gag" represents an initial, less intense reaction, primarily occurring as a reflex to throat irritation or extreme disgust, whereas "puke" represents a subsequent, more intense reaction involving the forceful expulsion of stomach contents due to various reasons, such as illness, intoxication, or disgust.
"Gag" is often perceived as a preliminary stage to "puke." It is a bodily reflex that might not necessarily lead to vomiting but indicates a possibility of it occurring, signaling discomfort or a reaction to a distasteful stimulus. On the other hand, "puke" is a definitive act of vomiting, occurring as a result of numerous triggers like gastrointestinal distress, overconsumption of food or alcohol, or exposure to repulsive sights or smells, signifying the body’s need to expel harmful or disagreeable substances.
In terms of connotations, "gag" often conveys a sense of discomfort or repulsion but does not inherently imply the act of expelling stomach contents. It can occur due to various stimuli like unpleasant tastes, smells, sights, or thoughts, indicating a degree of revulsion or discomfort. "Puke," conversely, has stronger, more graphic connotations, explicitly implying the act of vomiting and is often associated with feelings of sickness, disgust, or overindulgence, indicating a more intense level of bodily distress.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Involuntary retching due to throat discomfort or disgust
Informal term for the act of vomiting
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Intensity
Less intense, preliminary reflex
More intense, actual expulsion of stomach contents
Focus
Reflexive act of retching
Expulsion of stomach contents
Connotations
Discomfort or repulsion without expulsion
Graphic, implies sickness, disgust, or overindulgence
Outcome
May or may not lead to vomiting
Definitive act of vomiting
Compare with Definitions
Gag
Gag represents a preliminary reflex that may lead to vomiting.
The excessive smoke caused him to gag.
Puke
Puke represents a forceful expulsion of stomach contents usually due to illness or disgust.
The roller coaster ride made her puke.
Gag
Gag conveys a sense of discomfort or repulsion due to various stimuli.
The sight of blood makes me gag.
Puke
Puke denotes a more intense and definitive act than gagging, involving actual expulsion.
He felt so sick that he had to puke.
Gag
A gag is usually an item or device designed to prevent speech, often as a restraint device to stop the subject from calling for help and keep its wearer silent. This is usually done by blocking the mouth, partially or completely, or attempting to prevent the tongue, lips, or jaw from moving in the normal patterns of speech.
Puke
Puke is associated with feelings of sickness, disgust, or overindulgence.
The disturbing scene made him puke.
Gag
A piece of cloth put in or over a person's mouth to prevent them from speaking
They tied him up and put a gag in his mouth
Puke
Puke is an informal term for the act of expelling the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
He had to puke after eating spoiled seafood.
Gag
A device for keeping the patient's mouth open during a dental or surgical operation.
Puke
Puke implies a bodily reaction to rid itself of harmful or disagreeable substances.
Too much alcohol makes him puke.
Gag
A joke or an amusing story, especially one forming part of a comedian's act or in a film
Films that goad audiences into laughing at the most tasteless of gags
Puke
Vomit
He puked up his pizza
Wild with shame at puking up like a baby
Gag
Put a gag on (someone)
She was bound and gagged by robbers
Puke
Vomit.
Gag
Choke or retch
He gagged on the wine
Puke
To vomit.
Gag
Be very eager to have or do (something)
We'll be sitting in front of the TV at five to seven next Saturday evening, gagging for the next instalment
I'm absolutely gagging for a pint
Puke
The act of vomiting.
Gag
Tell jokes
They gagged about their sexual problems
Puke
Vomit.
Gag
Something forced into or put over the mouth to prevent speaking or crying out.
Puke
One regarded as disgusting or contemptible.
Gag
An obstacle to or a censoring of free speech.
Puke
Vomit.
Gag
A device placed in the mouth to keep it open, as in dentistry.
Puke
A drug that induces vomiting.
Gag
A practical joke
Played a gag on his roommates.
Puke
A worthless, despicable person.
Gag
A comic effect or remark.
Puke
A person from Missouri.
Gag
The act or an instance of gagging or choking.
Puke
A fine grade of woolen cloth.
Gag
To prevent from speaking or crying out by using a gag.
Puke
A very dark, dull, brownish-red color.
Gag
To stop or restrain from exercising free speech
Censorship laws aimed at gagging the press.
Puke
To vomit; to throw up; to eject from the stomach.
Gag
To cause to choke, retch, or undergo a regurgitative spasm.
Puke
To sell securities or investments at a loss, often under duress or pressure, in order to satisfy liquidity or margin requirements, or out of a desire to exit a deteriorating market.
Gag
To keep (the mouth) open by using a dental gag.
Puke
To eject the contests of the stomach; to vomit; to spew.
The infantMewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Gag
To block off or obstruct (a pipe or valve, for example).
Puke
To eject from the stomach; to vomit up.
Gag
To experience a regurgitative spasm in the throat, as from revulsion to a food or smell or in reflexive response to an introduced object.
Puke
A medicine that causes vomiting; an emetic; a vomit.
Gag
To make jokes or quips
Your friends are always gagging around.
Puke
Of a color supposed to be between black and russet.
Gag
A device to restrain speech, such as a rag in the mouth secured with tape or a rubber ball threaded onto a cord or strap.
Puke
A person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible;
Only a rotter would do that
Kill the rat
Throw the bum out
You cowardly little pukes!
The British call a contemptible person a `git'
Gag
(legal) An order or rule forbidding discussion of a case or subject.
Puke
The matter ejected in vomiting
Gag
(figurative) Any suppression of freedom of speech.
Puke
Eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth;
After drinking too much, the students vomited
He purged continuously
The patient regurgitated the food we gave him last night
Gag
A joke or other mischievous prank.
Gag
(film) a device or trick used to create a practical effect; a gimmick
Gag
A convulsion of the upper digestive tract.
Gag
(archaic) A mouthful that makes one retch or choke.
Gag
Mycteroperca microlepis, a species of grouper.
Gag
(intransitive) To experience the vomiting reflex.
He gagged when he saw the open wound.
Gag
(transitive) To cause to heave with nausea.
Gag
(transitive) To restrain someone's speech by blocking his or her mouth.
Gag
(transitive) To pry or hold open by means of a gag.
Gag
To restrain someone's speech without using physical means.
When the financial irregularities were discovered, the CEO gagged everyone in the accounting department.
Gag
(ambitransitive) To choke; to retch.
Gag
To deceive (someone); to con.
Gag
To astonish (someone); to be at a loss for words.
Gag
To stop the mouth of, by thrusting sometimes in, so as to hinder speaking; hence, to silence by authority or by violence; not to allow freedom of speech to.
The time was not yet come when eloquence was to be gagged, and reason to be hood winked.
Gag
To pry or hold open by means of a gag.
Mouths gagged to such a wideness.
Gag
To cause to heave with nausea.
Gag
To heave with nausea; to retch.
Gag
Something thrust into the mouth or throat to hinder speaking.
Gag
A mouthful that makes one retch; a choking bit; as, a gag of mutton fat.
Gag
A speech or phrase interpolated offhand by an actor on the stage in his part as written, usually consisting of some seasonable or local allusion.
Gag
A humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter;
He told a very funny joke
He knows a million gags
Thanks for the laugh
He laughed unpleasantly at hisown jest
Even a schoolboy's jape is supposed to have some ascertainable point
Gag
Restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting
Gag
Prevent from speaking out;
The press was gagged
Gag
Be too tight; rub or press;
This neckband is choking the cat
Gag
Tie a gag around someone's mouth in order to silence them;
The burglars gagged the home owner and tied him to a chair
Gag
Make jokes or quips;
The students were gagging during dinner
Gag
Struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake;
He swallowed a fishbone and gagged
Gag
Cause to retch or choke
Gag
Make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; strain to vomit
Gag
Gag refers to the involuntary retching due to discomfort or irritation in the throat.
The pungent odor made him gag.
Gag
Gag implies a reflexive act often induced by distasteful experiences.
He gagged at the sight of the spoiled food.
Gag
Gag denotes a bodily reaction signaling discomfort or revulsion.
She gagged when she tried to swallow the bitter medicine.
Common Curiosities
How is "puke" different from "gag"?
"Puke" is a colloquial term for vomiting, indicating the actual expulsion of stomach contents, which is more intense and definitive than "gag."
Can "gag" emphasize the reflexive act of retching?
Yes, "gag" primarily emphasizes the reflexive act of retching or contraction of the throat muscles.
Is "puke" a definitive act of vomiting?
Yes, "puke" signifies a definitive act of vomiting, occurring due to various triggers and indicating the body’s need to expel harmful substances.
What does "gag" typically refer to?
"Gag" typically refers to the involuntary, reflexive act of retching, usually resulting from discomfort or irritation in the throat.
Can "gag" occur due to various stimuli?
Yes, "gag" can occur due to various stimuli like unpleasant tastes, smells, sights, or thoughts, indicating discomfort or revulsion.
Can "gag" indicate a possibility of vomiting occurring?
Yes, "gag" can indicate a possibility of vomiting occurring, signaling discomfort or a reaction to a distasteful stimulus.
Can "gag" result from extreme disgust?
Absolutely, "gag" can occur as a reflex to extreme disgust or distasteful experiences, representing the body’s reflex to expel harmful substances.
Is "puke" associated with feelings of sickness or overindulgence?
Absolutely, "puke" is often associated with feelings of sickness, disgust, or overindulgence, representing the body’s reaction to harmful or disagreeable substances.
Is "gag" perceived as a preliminary stage to "puke"?
Yes, "gag" is often perceived as a preliminary stage to "puke," representing an initial, less intense reaction that might lead to vomiting.
Does "puke" explicitly imply the act of vomiting?
Yes, "puke" has stronger, more graphic connotations, explicitly implying the act of vomiting.
Does "puke" emphasize the expulsion of stomach contents?
Indeed, "puke" emphasizes the expulsion of stomach contents, reflecting a more advanced reaction to rid the body of harmful substances.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
