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

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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
  1. chuckle
  2. giggle
  3. laughter
  4. laugh
  5. snicker
Noun
  • David’s Davidness—always eating a bowl of cereal before bed, hoarding Wagon Wheels, calling his artificial sweeteners ‘depth charges,’ laughing with a half-private chuckle at his own bad jokes—comes off the page in sparks.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of chuckle
Verb
  • The two giggled momentarily before Quiñonez turned back and answered candidly.
    — Jake McCreven, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
  • DeSorbo says in late July, punctuating the thought with her signature giggle.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of giggle
Noun
  • Bridey’s first response to life, even to its darknesses, is laughter.
    — Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Yet how could anyone object to spending 65 minutes with a zany Broadway star who has learned to turn her shame into shared laughter?
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • Dobbins is no longer the fun story, the bilingual back who makes people smile and teammates laugh.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Over a refreshing crudo and endive salad, Vera Wang laughed with Lance LePere.
    — Gaby Keiderling, Vogue, 9 Oct. 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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Cite this Entry

“Guffaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaw. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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