as in chuckles
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 guffaws
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026
But both episodes so far have gotten a few killer guffaws out of me.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Everybody behind the camera could barely hold back the guffaws.
—Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Expect guffaws, and bring tissues.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026
But both episodes so far have gotten a few killer guffaws out of me.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Everybody behind the camera could barely hold back the guffaws.
—Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guffaws
Noun
-
Space exploration is a symbol of science at its most sophisticated, but the subject has always elicited a few prurient chuckles among civilians about what day-to-day life must really be like for the astronauts.—
Michael Tedder,
The Atlantic,
12 Apr. 2026
-
His children's reflections were poetic in the style of the late civil rights icon — filled with prayer, tears and a few chuckles, including about disagreements that occur when growing up in a large, lively family.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her daughter giggles as she's swung throughout the air, until Moore realizes that something isn't quite right.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The teaser video that followed showed a device straight out of a sci-fi film, something between Wall-E and BB-8, with a camera that giggles and swivels on command.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hayden, working the grill behind her husband, laughs and shakes her head with a slight eye roll the way only a loving wife can.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Henry takes in Link, who at this point is a teenager and laughs him off.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
While there were a few snickers, the photographers obliged and got their photos.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder.—
Matt Negrin,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
-
But her signature cackles always give up the game.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guffaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaws. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
