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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Example Sentences
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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
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The image of an officer peering into the empty driver’s seat of the offending vehicle may have been good for a chuckle, but other incidents have been no laughing matter.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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After a chuckle, someone asked what the doctor’s diagnosis had been.—
Rebecca Edmisten,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Casting sexy, hunky Sharpe as Mozart — quite in contrast to the movie’s Tom Hulce, with his Harpo Marx energy and strange explosive giggle — signals that this is meant to be a Serious Take on the material.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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On the chaise side of the sectional, Fiona and Izzy were giggling under a blanket, playing a makeover game on Fiona’s phone.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Miriam swayed, shoulders shaking with laughter at a joke nobody else could hear.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
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But laughter was never the whole story.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
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In a behind-the-scenes shot by Alex Bramall, Princess Charlotte is seen sitting in front of Eugenie, laughing so hard her eyes are squeezed shut.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Godfrey laughed when thinking about that moment.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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 10 May. 2026.
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