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
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Like Nikolai Gogol, another Russian-speaking Ukrainian, Mikhailov depicts hardship and pretense with a guffaw.
—Arthur Lubow, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Make your way up to the Roaring Fork Valley for idyllic spring skiing, and treat yourself to a few hours of smiles and guffaws.
—Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2024
Rather on theme, the lineup managed to convey permission to laugh rather than demand guffaws.
—Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for guffaw
Verb
Well, that portion of the proclamation has spurred quite an onslaught of chuckles and guffaws.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Like Nikolai Gogol, another Russian-speaking Ukrainian, Mikhailov depicts hardship and pretense with a guffaw.
—Arthur Lubow, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Make your way up to the Roaring Fork Valley for idyllic spring skiing, and treat yourself to a few hours of smiles and guffaws.
—Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2024
Rather on theme, the lineup managed to convey permission to laugh rather than demand guffaws.
—Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for guffaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guffaw
Verb
-
The Vermont lawmaker chuckled and brushed off the comment while looking down.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
-
Some of my peers have chuckled knowingly and offered congratulations.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Bailey could be seen mouthing something to the host, and before turning around as instructed, instead went in for a kiss, sending the audience into howls of laughter and applause.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
-
In Ukraine's legendary port city, the salty breeze carried the splashing and laughter of a carefree summer.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
In the pictures, the pair enjoy an intimate moment on a bench overlooking the water, embracing and giggling.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
7 July 2025
-
Over the course of Youssef’s set, reminders of Mamdani’s victory and the memory that something unexpected — something possibly quite good — had happened in this city had the audience giggling and roaring in equal measure, like laughing gas was being pumped through the room.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Friday’s Resident Alien had it all: uproarious laughs, romance, heartbreak and a whole lot of vomit.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
28 June 2025
-
And in a company which faithfully recreates stiff 18th-century acting conventions, McCormack’s unapologetically sassy Semira was a welcome change of pace, drawing the afternoon’s biggest laughs.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
This reporter is old enough to remember being a young lad, watching trailers before a different feature, seeing the first coming attraction for Die Hard and hearing the audience snicker at the concept of David Addison as the next Rambo.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
31 May 2025
-
The club’s gradual demise after the retirement of their legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 has led to snickering from fans and jeering by rivals.—
Alex Tabet,
NBC news,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guffaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaw. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share