as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
managed to keep a straight face for a minute before he let loose with a loud guffaw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 guffaw
Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Everybody behind the camera could barely hold back the guffaws.
—Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Regan’s quick and hilariously ineffective costume changes while de Guzman’s deadpan delivery nails some comic notes and adds in plenty of guffaws.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2025
But the fact that the play is now being presented as a period piece, set in the late 2010s, when it was first produced, puts us at just enough of a remove from the present madness to let down our guards and guffaw.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guffaw
Noun
This was the first year in recent memory where none of the nominees in the big four categories set off a hearty round of guffaws across my various chats and social media feeds.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Everybody behind the camera could barely hold back the guffaws.
—Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Regan’s quick and hilariously ineffective costume changes while de Guzman’s deadpan delivery nails some comic notes and adds in plenty of guffaws.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2025
But the fact that the play is now being presented as a period piece, set in the late 2010s, when it was first produced, puts us at just enough of a remove from the present madness to let down our guards and guffaw.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guffaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guffaw
Noun
-
Fatone tells The Hollywood Reporter with a chuckle at the top of our Zoom conversation when asked about the timing.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Something between a chuckle and a leer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the officer began to dance, the women screamed and giggled.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
A couple giggling teens popped on and off that scale recently, pleased, apparently, by the reading.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But for all the success and laughter in his life, it was shadowed by dark clouds.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
If your coping mechanism for tough times is laughter, then this is the list for you.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Roberts laughed, but the twinkle in his eye was genuine.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The dialogue is overladen with snicker-worthy cliches, a swelling, melodramatic soundtrack that doesn’t match the mood, dubious cameos and plastic, perfunctory life-affirming quotes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The event also had free opportunities to take photos, get ice cream snickers and have earned a Super Bowl post card.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guffaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaw. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
