belly laugh

noun

Definition of belly laughnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 belly laugh Eddie has a way of getting into our heads and hearts for a belly laugh that eases pain, builds a bridge. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026 This show, which still prompts belly laughs from my daughter and me even after countless rewatches, meets and surpasses my mother’s bar. — Jean Garnett, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026 Rothberg leads the room through a laughter exercise—head laugh, chest laugh, belly laugh, roller-coaster laugh. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for belly laugh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly laugh
  1. laughter
  2. chuckle
  3. giggle
  4. laugh
  5. snicker
Noun
  • The brief laughter was audible at the beginning of the call, shortly after host Mimi Geerges announced that the program had received a call from the White House.
    — Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The Saturday morning blue sky air was filled with laughter in the cool autumn crispness.
    — Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of laughter
Noun
  • There’s pitying chuckles to his childlike dependence on his peculiarly loyal man servant.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The satire falls flat, but there’s some chuckles to be found in the Simpsons living beyond their economic means.
    — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of chuckle
Noun
  • Memoirs proceeds from there with that simultaneous posture of high-minded openness and a childish giggle.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The letter is met with snaps and giggles, as a 5-year-old Cary warns of imminent death.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of giggle
Noun
  • What really sets Black Doves apart, though, are its lovable characters and its beguiling mix of laughs and tears, which flirt with existential despair without ever fully tipping into it.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The two also shared a laugh over Lewis’ first impressions of the twins.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • But there’s another 45 supremely indulgent auteur gunk that is snicker-worthy.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • As executed, the 2019 show is an emotional yet refreshingly unsentimental black comedy that snickers in the face of empowerment buzzwords like, well, healing journey.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

belly-lands
belly laugh
belly laughs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belly laugh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly%20laugh. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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