GUFFAW Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

guffaw 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)gə-ˈfȯ

Definition of guffaw

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

guffaw

2 of 2

verb

as in to chuckle

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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

Noun

But both episodes so far have gotten a few killer guffaws out of me. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026 So, after the sombrero drew hearty guffaws, my friend Jim busied himself finding monuments to chip-and-dip tastelessness. — Lee Michael Katz, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025

Verb

Tykes get slapped around, shot with arrows and dangled in traffic — tortures that are played seriously, but the shock of them allows you to guffaw. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for guffaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guffaw

Noun

Brian Leonard’s smartly funny ode to his difficult daughter — a child whose behavior was so problematic, the family cycled through 28 therapists — offers plenty of chuckles, even with key questions left unanswered.

— Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
The risk, though, with horror-comedy—with dinging from chuckles to shrieks and back again—is always an evacuated center.

— James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Definition of chuckle

Noun

The live show’s audience, filled with women in floral maxidresses and bearded men who probably host their own podcasts, was more than ready for love and laughter.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
After failing to suppress her laughter, Brattin sunk to the floor as another host continued the segment on the live broadcast.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of laughter

Verb

My mom pulled off something incredible by facilitating this surprise, this gift, and Justin and I started laughing out of pure bliss.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
The Tonight Show audience laughed before Scott was asked about his daughter’s reaction to the lesson.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

As executed, the 2019 show is an emotional yet refreshingly unsentimental black comedy that snickers in the face of empowerment buzzwords like, well, healing journey.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Classic cookies come in 11 flavors like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snicker doodle, white chocolate macadamia nut, fruity pebbles, monster and white chocolate cranberry.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2026

Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

guff

guffaw

guffawed

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“Guffaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaw. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of guffaw

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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