as in laughter
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
a quick chuckle at the funny comment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
everyone dutifully chuckled at the professor's intended jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 chuckle
Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026
Space exploration is a symbol of science at its most sophisticated, but the subject has always elicited a few prurient chuckles among civilians about what day-to-day life must really be like for the astronauts.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Asked about his experience playing against Curry over the years, Porzingis chuckled.
—Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chuckle
Noun
Something between a chuckle and a leer.
—Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026
Space exploration is a symbol of science at its most sophisticated, but the subject has always elicited a few prurient chuckles among civilians about what day-to-day life must really be like for the astronauts.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
To be fair, Dylan is also engaging in some territorial behaviors, like chuckling about Greg’s affinity for nuts and lightly putting a hand on his arm, so keep an eye on that space.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Asked about his experience playing against Curry over the years, Porzingis chuckled.
—Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chuckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chuckle
Noun
-
And that's where laughter, joke-telling, hugging and dancing happen.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Nearly in sync, a third emerges, prompting a chorus of uncontrolled squeals and giddy laughter.—
Hannah Towey,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Read that sentence aloud and try not to laugh.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
When Daikin Park’s jumbotron showed exactly that, Chisholm could only laugh at himself.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wishing you all a week of giggles, group projects, and—yes—solidarity.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
“Chuckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckle. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
