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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of laugh
Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025
Erivo declared, as Winfrey laughed and the audience erupted with cheers and clapping.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 14 June 2025
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
The band’s three main songwriters, Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons and Michael McDonald, all gave gracious acceptance speeches, but McDonald’s characteristically self-deprecating last words got the biggest laugh of the night.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for laugh
Verb
John was right—in a few minutes, the hail let up, and we were reunited with everyone, laughing in disbelief at how wild the weather had turned in the first few miles of our multiday trek.
—Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025
Erivo declared, as Winfrey laughed and the audience erupted with cheers and clapping.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 14 June 2025
Noun
The laughs don’t come from intentional punchlines, but instead from situational circumstances and Murderbot’s dry voice-over, as well as its disinterest in dealing with humans.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
The band’s three main songwriters, Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons and Michael McDonald, all gave gracious acceptance speeches, but McDonald’s characteristically self-deprecating last words got the biggest laugh of the night.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for laugh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laugh
Verb
-
Dropping catches and mis-fielding were not things to be giggled at.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
After giggling at the situation, de Rossi, 52, herds the visitor out the door.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Owen looks up, sees the woman at the other end of the bar, smiling at him.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
20 June 2025
-
As the verdict was announced, Read smiled and embraced her defense team.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
This Would Work' by Ann Garvin This book is an absolute hoot.—
Amy Poeppel,
People.com,
11 June 2025
-
Reading about being a turtle, on the other hand, is kind of a hoot.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Sports officials have been the target of jokes and ire from fans for as long as sports have existed.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
And like a sick joke from south of the border, the Avs would go on to win three titles.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
The Vermont lawmaker chuckled and brushed off the comment while looking down.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
-
Some of my peers have chuckled knowingly and offered congratulations.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
Both were sneered at by middle-class reviewers and adored by the public.—
Graham Robb,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
-
Written with the sneering disaffection of an ex-believer, the hundred-and-twenty-thousand-word letter argued that egalitarianism, far from improving the world, was actually responsible for most of its ills.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Bailey could be seen mouthing something to the host, and before turning around as instructed, instead went in for a kiss, sending the audience into howls of laughter and applause.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
-
In Ukraine's legendary port city, the salty breeze carried the splashing and laughter of a carefree summer.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Whistles and boos met Chelsea possessions and when Pedro Neto scored the opening goal for the Blues in the 13th minute, the cheers from the blue end of the field were overtaken by the screams of rebuttal from the Flamengo fans scattered around this massive stadium.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
-
After all, what would be more appropriate for our moment than a franchise movie that devolves into a series of anguished and disjointed screams?—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laugh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laugh. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share