guffaw 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)gə-ˈfȯ How to pronounce guffaw (audio)
Definition of guffawnext
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

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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
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 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
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
  1. chuckle
  2. giggle
  3. laughter
  4. laugh
  5. snicker
Noun
  • And while most of the film is unrelentingly grim, its few stabs at dark humor — most notably the punchlines about the grandmother’s faulty memory — didn’t garner a chuckle from me.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • There was a point in Patrick Paul’s ascension last season where his smirk, his hearty chuckles irritated, if not frustrated his opponents to the point of anger.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Definition of chuckle
Verb
  • The audience giggled nervously as their seats rocked and rolled during the tense chase scene, and whenever the dinosaur went in for an attack, a squirt of water shot out from behind each audience member’s seat.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 19 July 2026
  • The audience of employees lapped up every word, giggled at every dad joke.
    — Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026
Definition of giggle
Noun
  • The late-morning sun peeked through a gauzy veil of fog, bright laughter echoing over the giddy whisper of tulle as the brides posed for pictures outside the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • The atmosphere resembles a game show as much as a dating event, with laughter, applause and anticipation filling the room before the first pitch even begins.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • Others are choosing to laugh it off and hope that the proverbial bell does not, eventually, toll for them.
    — Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
  • Lunch at Optimist Hall brought the energy right back up after laughing our way through the earlier tour.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • As is, this is a foolish thriller that prompts the occasional snicker but not much more.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • The grown-ups in the audience snicker.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Guffaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaw. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on guffaw

Nglish: Translation of guffaw for Spanish Speakers

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