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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
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
-
The photo of Kyle and Amanda leaving the reunion and laughing went viral, which also set off some conspiracies among the very normal fandom of these shows.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
Earlier in the series, Wembanyama drew criticism for a dangerously hard foul on Brunson and was later caught on camera laughing in Mitchell Robinson's direction during a heated moment.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
But after Variety shared a clip of the conversation, users online were less amused.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Kids pile into the phone booth at sleepovers to make prank calls to their aunts and family friends, giggling into the night.—
Kathryn O'Shea-Evans,
Architectural Digest,
27 May 2026
-
Families with mothers in hijabs and giggling children sit alongside the neighborhood’s old guard and young transplants priced out of Brooklyn’s north, all feasting on great wheels of rashoosh (flatbread) and dishevelments of lamb.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 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
-
Trump appears uninterested in a modest rightward adjustment, while the most powerful right-wing outlet in America, Fox News, has greeted CBS’ attempt to woo its audience with gleeful hostility.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
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Here was a rare claim to unabashed public sapphic desire; it was given the scale and seriousness routinely afforded to heterosexual display, like the gleeful bravado of a man striding into Hooters.—
Emma Madden,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The mood outside the chamber after the vote was mostly jovial as most of the demonstrators present on Thursday were opposed to redistricting.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
11 Dec. 2025
-
His jovial energy fills the room, as does his frustrated anguish as life with the Prime grows impossibly complex.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chuckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckling. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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