as in laughter
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
humorous anecdotes that are likely to evoke lots of smiles but few belly laughs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of belly laugh
Serious belly laughs and nerve-racking moments arrive in equal measure; tonally, there’s nothing quite like it.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
The comedy show will feature deep knowledge through storytelling, one-liners, and ad-libs, aiming to bring smiles, chuckles, and belly laughs to the audience.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 28 Nov. 2025
For over 50 years, it’s been the morning soundtrack of childhood, making its bright colors, belly laughs and sing-along tunes a cozy ritual for many.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Kids need to have belly laughs and almost pee their pants when reading—which is something that few other authors besides Seuss can do without invoking potty humor.
—Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belly laugh
David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
The comedy show will feature deep knowledge through storytelling, one-liners, and ad-libs, aiming to bring smiles, chuckles, and belly laughs to the audience.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 28 Nov. 2025
For over 50 years, it’s been the morning soundtrack of childhood, making its bright colors, belly laughs and sing-along tunes a cozy ritual for many.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Kids need to have belly laughs and almost pee their pants when reading—which is something that few other authors besides Seuss can do without invoking potty humor.
—Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belly laugh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly laugh
Noun
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Miriam swayed, shoulders shaking with laughter at a joke nobody else could hear.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
But laughter was never the whole story.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Noun
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The image of an officer peering into the empty driver’s seat of the offending vehicle may have been good for a chuckle, but other incidents have been no laughing matter.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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After a chuckle, someone asked what the doctor’s diagnosis had been.—
Rebecca Edmisten,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The first tinkling notes mimicked the pre‑concert bell that ushered the audience to their seats—an unusual start that elicited a giggle from the crowd.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
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Their antics made Huntington Beach a national laughingstock — but Gates and his pals so far have had the last giggle.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There are moments when Lily feels lost and anxious, and another scene where a panicked sheep knocks over furniture, although that is played for laughs.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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Even Gawker’s star investigative reporter Adrian Chen, whose exposé of the dark web marketplace Silk Road was a huge scoop, could generate laughs.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Noun
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The dialogue is overladen with snicker-worthy cliches, a swelling, melodramatic soundtrack that doesn’t match the mood, dubious cameos and plastic, perfunctory life-affirming quotes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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The event also had free opportunities to take photos, get ice cream snickers and have earned a Super Bowl post card.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belly laugh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly%20laugh. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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