as in laughed
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
everyone dutifully chuckled at the professor's intended jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 chuckled
Stern chuckled and without hesitation said that guy wasn’t going anywhere.
—
Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026
At first, Eli and Peyton chuckled at the sight, while Combs sang along — which is all part of the appeal, Malloy says.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Johnson, a Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver who starred on the school’s last national championship team in 2001 and played in its last title game the following year, chuckled while recalling the days when the BCS computers determined which two teams made it.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
But on the latest episode of his New Heights podcast, Kelce chuckled about Jones’ proclamation.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
One longtime scout chuckled when asked to describe the NBA's next big thing.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
Ripa exclaimed as the Live studio audience chuckled over the moment.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
No doubt some of the Asch experiment subjects chuckled on their way out the door, once the ruse had been explained to them.
—Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
Asked how the larger and uncovered San Diego crowds have compared, even to when LAFC was headed toward the 2022 MLS Cup title, Penn chuckled.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025
Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026
At first, Eli and Peyton chuckled at the sight, while Combs sang along — which is all part of the appeal, Malloy says.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Johnson, a Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver who starred on the school’s last national championship team in 2001 and played in its last title game the following year, chuckled while recalling the days when the BCS computers determined which two teams made it.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
But on the latest episode of his New Heights podcast, Kelce chuckled about Jones’ proclamation.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
One longtime scout chuckled when asked to describe the NBA's next big thing.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
Ripa exclaimed as the Live studio audience chuckled over the moment.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
No doubt some of the Asch experiment subjects chuckled on their way out the door, once the ruse had been explained to them.
—Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
Asked how the larger and uncovered San Diego crowds have compared, even to when LAFC was headed toward the 2022 MLS Cup title, Penn chuckled.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chuckled
Verb
-
While none of the Alexanders appeared to crack any smiles, Agnifilo laughed along gamely when the judge and prospective jurors exchanged jokes to lighten a tense mood.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
-
During their visit to the working handweaving studio, the Princess of Wales laughed and placed a hand on her husband's arm.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the nearly six-minute-long video, the brother-sister duo giggled at their family memories, which included moments from school, at home, on vacation with their parents and more.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
-
And the tow truck went flying through the air as both boys giggled.—
Brad Schmitt,
Nashville Tennessean,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even as a Black person who smiled ear to ear when Black people fought for laughter with the mighty pressure of their jaws.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Maxey found Embiid for an alley-oop dunk late in the first half and Maxey jumped up and down with excitement as both players smiled toward Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who led the Sixers for three seasons.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Anything is possible, as Kevin Garnett once screamed.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Fans screamed lyrics like confessionals.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As red and white confetti rained down onto the field at Hard Rock Stadium Monday night, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti — known for his stern demeanor on the field — widely grinned towards his players and coaches knowing his team had done what many previously thought was impossible.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The pilot, Jonathon Rae, a young Aussie with a dashing mustache, looked down and grinned.—
Susan Casey,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chuckled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckled. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
