as in laughter
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
a quick chuckle at the funny comment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of chuckle
Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Dec. 2025
Gregory wondered out loud with a chuckle.
—NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
Some of the Italian Stallion's costars and his brother made the audience chuckle by doing an impression of Stallone’s iconic gravelly voice.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chuckle
Noun
There are a lot more chuckles in Episode 2, not just because there is no longer a terrorist subplot and its resulting anxiety to be grappled with, but because Florence Welch, of Florence + the Machine, makes for such a sweet comic foil, of sorts.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Dec. 2025
Gregory wondered out loud with a chuckle.
—NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Ripa exclaimed as the Live studio audience chuckled over the moment.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
Some of the Italian Stallion's costars and his brother made the audience chuckle by doing an impression of Stallone’s iconic gravelly voice.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chuckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chuckle
Noun
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The legendary veteran shared much laughter with friends and spoke briefly, recognizing his wife Stella and thanking the crowd for coming out before passing the microphone to a friend.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
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During years marked by health struggles, Maggie’s playful energy brought laughter back into her mother’s daily life.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Scott Adams, who kept cubicle denizens laughing for more than three decades with Dilbert, the bitingly funny comic strip that poked fun at the absurdity of corporate life, before racist remarks got him pink-slipped, died Tuesday.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
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Snoop Dogg called out as the audience laughed.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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On Tuesday morning, the Oscar winner ended her Today interview with host Craig Melvin in giggles after making a simple mistake, confusing one TV network for another.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
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And leave it to two stars of Hacks, one of the funniest shows on TV, to bring us a giggle.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While there were a few snickers, the photographers obliged and got their photos.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
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Early never makes fun of Maddie, never lets the audience snicker at the screen.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chuckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckle. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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