as in chuckles
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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Recent Examples of belly laughs
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
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
David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly laughs
Noun
-
His children's reflections were poetic in the style of the late civil rights icon — filled with prayer, tears and a few chuckles, including about disagreements that occur when growing up in a large, lively family.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
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His children’s reflections were poetic in the style of the late civil rights icon — filled with prayer, tears and a few chuckles, including about disagreements that occur when growing up in a large, lively family.—
Sophia Tareen,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mulvaney’s penchant for girlish giggles and squeals between bites of her spaghetti pomodoro stand out in Arno, especially when juxtaposed against the sea of older gentlemen in an assortment of ill-fitting grey blazers sitting behind her at the bar.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
18 Feb. 2026
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My sisters teased me about my muffled giggles under the covers in the middle of the night.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its cast is exactly the sprightly ensemble needed to land its what-if laughs.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Now that Cindy, Brenda, Ray and Shorty are back for more screams and laughs, Marlon Wayans is looking to bring back more of his memorable characters.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
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While there were a few snickers, the photographers obliged and got their photos.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belly laughs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly%20laughs. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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