CHUCKLING Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

chuckling 1 of 2

adjective

as in smiling

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Dissimilar Words

chuckling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of chuckle

as in laughing

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 chuckling

Verb

Cubs pitcher David Peterson was coming out of the bullpen to pitch in the eighth inning after the fight took place, and the umpires were chuckling. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 In a New York Times interview, producer Tyran Donaldson, who has also worked with SZA, recalled chuckling at listening to the Diamonds work with the instrument. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026 And The Rest Is Football(Netflix, YouTube) is the latest podcast to make the leap to the small screen, with former England internationals Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and the ever-chuckling Micah Richards serving up a daily helping of World Cup analysis alongside the usual chummy banter. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 10 June 2026 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 Jaynie Adams, historian at Arizona Historical Society, told The Arizona Republic, chuckling. — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 30 Apr. 2026 Flying cows, fiddle-playing cats, and chuckling retrievers inhabit the space between ornate columns. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 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

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

Definition of smiling

Adjective

Perhaps most telling of all, Stone cuts the character of Carlotta, a governess born to circus performers who wanders through the play like a lost clown, origin-less, amused, and sad.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
The woman got up on their table and gleefully pretended to tap dance, drawing an amused crowd of onlookers.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of amused

Verb

This approach worked for Jean Nelson of Pasadena, California, after her 2-year-old son, Luke, took delight in dragging toilet paper down the hall, giggling as the roll unfurled behind him.

— Cynthia Hanson, Parents, 13 Sep. 2026
In the video, Hilton’s 3-year-old son Phoenix can be seen giggling as the puppy playfully chases him around the room while 2-year-old sister London looks on.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of giggling

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

Definition of mirthful

Adjective

Amateur humiliation content has become widespread on the internet, giving Americans more opportunities than ever to indulge in gleeful disgust or righteous outrage.

— Daniel LaChance, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026
The sins of the father are ultimately presented in a literal, stomach-churning slideshow that haphazardly alternates benign family snaps with gleeful photographic evidence of Johan’s war crimes.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of gleeful

Adjective

With bow and arrow in hand, Anghba finds his hunt for a wild boar across a riverbank interrupted by a raft floating downstream, as former tribespeople surround a jovial American preacher (Douglas Henshall), much to the chieftain’s chagrin.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
And Loving has a knack for flipping a switch on the field, transforming quickly from the eager, jovial rookie in the locker room into a powerful and violent man once the ball is snapped.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of jovial

Browse Nearby Words

chucklesome

chuckling

chuck (out)

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“Chuckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckling. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of chuckling

adjective

verb

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