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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
These are uncontroversial jokes that aim to bring people together and get everyone chuckling or smiling along.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Flacco spent most of his postgame interview chuckling about the unpredictable last 10 days that have landed him back in the NFL's spotlight in his 18th season.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
During the team’s media day on Monday, Yang spoke some English but in mid-sentence would revert back to Chinese, producing a mix of English and Chinese that leaves the affable 7-footer chuckling at himself.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
So Cali sucked her teeth, chuckling.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
These are uncontroversial jokes that aim to bring people together and get everyone chuckling or smiling along.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Flacco spent most of his postgame interview chuckling about the unpredictable last 10 days that have landed him back in the NFL's spotlight in his 18th season.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
During the team’s media day on Monday, Yang spoke some English but in mid-sentence would revert back to Chinese, producing a mix of English and Chinese that leaves the affable 7-footer chuckling at himself.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
So Cali sucked her teeth, chuckling.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chuckling
Adjective
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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
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Always ready for fun, Rose enjoys laughing, moving and finding creative ways to express herself.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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In a separate post that day, the CEO added two laughing emoji when quote-tweeting an image of a toaster with a bikini on it.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Karp had never seen it and seemed mildly amused, rather than irked by it.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
19 Dec. 2025
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Santas were seen devouring hors d’oeuvres and stealing glasses of wine from hotel guests, who were both stunned and amused.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Social media users, meanwhile, could not get enough of the two getting tipsy on-air and giggling through the night.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
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This is perfect for emergency organic kale runs or ripping around backcountry carvers with four giggling friends (or, in this author’s case, one friend and three ebullient toddlers in car seats).—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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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
Adjective
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But after more than two decades relishing his role as the gleeful contrarian, the persona has now become more true character than occasional outlandish caricature.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
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The past 12 months marked a year of kid stuff for gleeful grown-ups.—
Faran Krentcil,
InStyle,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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From the moment James first meets Samuel West's waspish Siegfried Farnon, the two fall into a jovial (if not always smooth) mentor-mentee humor.—
Tiffany Kelly,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
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Live music and delicious drinks bolster the jovial atmosphere.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chuckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckling. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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