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

There were waves of guffaws and, also, supportive finger-snapping. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026 Expect guffaws, and bring tissues. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026

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

Toward the end of the panel, Buttimer noted that Connaughton would have wanted to argue with each speaker, drawing chuckles from the audience.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
Wickersham says, with only the slightest of chuckles, that every quarterback is something of a sociopath and likens them to politicians in the middle of a race.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of chuckle

Verb

This approach worked for Jean Nelson of Pasadena, California, after her 2-year-old son, Luke, took delight in dragging toilet paper down the hall, giggling as the roll unfurled behind him.

— Cynthia Hanson, Parents, 13 Sep. 2026
But for now, let’s all giggle at how fully Naheim ignored Bryan when going to congratulate Jude.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of giggle

Verb

Trump patted Xi on the back once more, and the two men laughed, in a moment that generated outrage online.

— Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Folks come to Denver Comedy Works ready to laugh, comics say — so comedy-hungry and polite that their enthusiasm can give a performer an inflated sense of their own abilities.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

But there’s another 45 supremely indulgent auteur gunk that is snicker-worthy.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

guff

guffaw

guffawed

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Style

“Guffaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaw. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of guffaw

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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