1
as in to giggle
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
everyone laughed when the clown dramatically slipped and fell
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to smile
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
you're going to try out for the football team? Don't make me laugh!
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
the child's frown turned into a laugh when he saw the clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
the film comedy had a good laugh in just about every scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of laugh
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
Captain Serious started laughing, went out for yet another lap and started egging on the fans like a pro wrestler.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Some meme makers are admirers of Kirk who want to valorize him; some are neo-Nazis out to mock Kirk for not being extreme enough (while also drawing attention to their cause); some are liberals trying to troll conservatives; many are surely apolitical types having a nonsensical laugh.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for laugh
Verb
Darryn Peterson couldn’t help but laugh.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
Captain Serious started laughing, went out for yet another lap and started egging on the fans like a pro wrestler.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
No pressure—just beer, laughs, and fitness.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Some meme makers are admirers of Kirk who want to valorize him; some are neo-Nazis out to mock Kirk for not being extreme enough (while also drawing attention to their cause); some are liberals trying to troll conservatives; many are surely apolitical types having a nonsensical laugh.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for laugh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laugh
Verb
-
Or, just have a little giggle about it.—
Rasputin Todd,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Her daughter giggles as she's swung throughout the air, until Moore realizes that something isn't quite right.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The small Santa Clara diner offers a straightforward menu of burgers and burritos, paired with an abundance of patriotic decorations and walls covered in photographs of smiling customers.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Becky’s daughter Kaylie smiling as a baby.—
Becky Quick,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Marilyn responded, prompting a chuckle from Art.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The more stinging irony here is that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping probably approved these public statements with a chuckle.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cowboy and cowgirl hoots and hollers complement the rumbling of the massive animals’ hooves as they’re rounded up into the corrals.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Dec. 2025
-
But their annual Christmas dinner was a special hoot.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Prosecutors maintain the messages showed intent, not a joke or gossip.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
In one scene, Bing Crosby, who plays Tracy’s ex-husband in the movie, jokes about its size.—
Rachel Garrahan,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Heads hung low, players consoling one another or screaming obscenities at no one in particular, the care factor off the charts.—
Mirjam Swanson The Orange County Register,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Kelly and others screaming such obscenities as parishioners enter and exit the sanctuary has culminated in the parish’s requests for police escorts.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance; and yet a sin, a negation that gave the world the right to sneer at the pretensions of this republic.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Where is the patriotism in sneering at America’s great achievements?—
Emilie G.C. Thompson,
STAT,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Something that holds laughter, gathering, and love.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2026
-
But the tense moment quickly turned to laughter when it was all revealed to be a prank.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laugh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laugh. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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