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giggling 1 of 2

adjective

as in smiling

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giggling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of giggle
as in laughing
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound some audience members thought that they were being clever by giggling during the serious scenes

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 giggling
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 Everyone is giggling about his vocabulary, but they’re still charmed. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 On a recent afternoon outside the temple in central Kerala, Raman stood motionless as two children played, giggling and hugging its trunk. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 The two brothers were spotted giggling during a ceremonial carriage ride. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 12 June 2026 After the second ace, Williams was giggling, seemingly in disbelief, at how quickly things had come together in her first match back. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 10 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for giggling
  1. smiling
  2. laughing
  3. amused
  4. chuckling
  5. gleeful
  6. screaming
  7. mirthful
  8. merry
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
Verb
  • And show up the next day smiling and laughing and ready to go.
    — Mark Hoppus, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Simon and Diana Ledet, who volunteers during free skate, practice some moves on the pole before grabbing hands and skating off together, talking and laughing.
    — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of laughing
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
  • 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
Definition of chuckling
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
Verb
  • At the same time, Plog placed a phone call to a relative and can be heard moaning and screaming in pain.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Amazon doesn’t have to worry about affiliates screaming if the show bleeds into their late local newscasts, nor FCC overlord Brendan Carr having a meltdown over an unbleeped John Mulaney bit.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of screaming
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
  • The hotel itself is staffed by a small but merry cadre of Lost Boys whose endearing mix of irreverence and can-doism gives the hotel its cool, devil-may-care personality.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Rounding up his merry men of Sherwood Forest, and his Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland), Robin goes about resisting John’s rule and securing Richard’s throne.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of merry

Browse Nearby Words

giggles
giggling
gigglingly
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Cite this Entry

“Giggling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/giggling. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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