as in smiling
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as in laughing
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
everyone dutifully chuckled at the professor's intended jokes
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Recent Examples of chuckling
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Flying cows, fiddle-playing cats, and chuckling retrievers inhabit the space between ornate columns.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
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
In early February, Raphael Bostic sat on a stage chuckling, and a bit embarrassed, while his predecessor handed him a pair of gifts.
—Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026
In the front of the bus, Kilgo first started chuckling softly.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
When that happens, press play on these funny Hanukkah songs that will have the whole family chuckling.
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Somewhere, Dan Lanning had to be chuckling at that one.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025
I'mPhaedra Trethan, chuckling over a discussion among colleagues about what to call the goo that comes out of whales' blowholes.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025
Verb
Baffert watched it all on his laptop from California, chuckling as the board showing the horse’s price flaked out momentarily.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Flying cows, fiddle-playing cats, and chuckling retrievers inhabit the space between ornate columns.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
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
In early February, Raphael Bostic sat on a stage chuckling, and a bit embarrassed, while his predecessor handed him a pair of gifts.
—Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026
In the front of the bus, Kilgo first started chuckling softly.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
When that happens, press play on these funny Hanukkah songs that will have the whole family chuckling.
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Somewhere, Dan Lanning had to be chuckling at that one.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025
I'mPhaedra Trethan, chuckling over a discussion among colleagues about what to call the goo that comes out of whales' blowholes.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chuckling
Adjective
-
Women in black hijabs and abayas, many wearing badges depicting Zahra’s smiling face, lined the streets as men prayed over her casket, placed outside the Husseiniya, a Shiite hall.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
As Thomas’ parents, Katina Smith and Bobby Thomas, unveiled their son’s smiling statue in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame Plaza last Sunday, as scores of his former teammates looked on in sadness and joy, Miller was 800 miles away in Dallas, gearing up for a game against the Cowboys.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Conversation starters → One Hollywood actor's in-flight rant has travelers laughing — and arguing — all over again.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
The Eagles posted a video on the night of the trade of Hurts and Brown on a FaceTime call with each other, laughing uncontrollably.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Jay practically embarrassed Mase, then a pop rapper at Bad Boy Records, not by screaming but by sounding amused.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2026
-
The playful clip begins with Joanna attempting to balance on a 2x4 wooden plank as Chip watches her with an amused expression on his face.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Flashlight tag is an oldie but goodie and will have parents giggling like schoolgirls along with their kids.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Total strangers giggling about his addiction to drugs.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Haim managed to put on a show that felt about 95% mirthful while still honoring the integrity of the new songs that dig emotionally deeper.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
-
There’s a mirthful sparkle to the crowd, guests and crew alike, especially apparent given our close quarters on the train.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Aug. 2024
Adjective
-
Chapin, the mechanic on the Shawmut crew, was a wiry 6-footer with a winking sense of humor and a penchant for machine-shop patter peppered with gleeful profanity, a likable 26-year-old who’d been a reliable factory hand and test driver before the fire.—
Eric Moskowitz,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
-
Here, that flattening extends to the film’s overly polished setting, where Bargatze and Lagana’s gleeful script unfolds against a wildly generic version of suburban Tennessee.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Agoura’s first-year baseball coach Adam Goldstein probably wasn’t so jovial when his Chargers were blowing leads in the seventh inning this spring.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
-
The final beat leaves Ava and Deborah walking down the Vegas Strip in a jovial mood, Deborah’s fate still unwritten; the treatment may or may not work.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chuckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckling. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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