hee-haw 1 of 2

noun

ˈhē-ˌhȯ How to pronounce hee-haw (audio)
Definition of hee-hawnext
as in laughter
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement the humor may have been corny and obvious, but the audience responded with hearty hee-haws

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hee-haw

2 of 2

verb

as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound those hayseeds will hee-haw at even the dumbest jokes

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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 hee-haw
Noun
The hee-haw of donkeys acts as the camp alarm, rousing us before sunrise each morning. — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hee-haw
  1. laughter
  2. laugh
  3. chuckle
  4. giggle
  5. snicker
  6. scream
Noun
  • His political concerns and active vigilance are accompanied by a stubborn smile and frequent laughter.
    — Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Everyone in the audience was laughing and applauding, thinking Molière’s intense coughing fit was comedic gold, until their laughter turned to horror.
    — Gates McFadden, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • Zion, 11, is smart and creative and enjoys having fun and making others laugh.
    — The Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Foreman can often be seen making audiences laugh at Comedy In Harlem, which held a comedy show for Breast Cancer Awareness in October where 10% of the proceeds go toward breast cancer research and awareness.
    — Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Walzer thought the matter through aloud with me, at one point letting out a small chuckle at his intellectual perplexity.
    — Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of chuckle
Verb
  • In one photo, Ray’s sister Ruby held up the giggling infant, making kissy faces at the baby wrapped up in a blanket.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Last episode, Jelly and Devin were out there giggling on the beach like Will and Grace with sand stuck in their coochies.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of giggle
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
Verb
  • Upon arriving at Bottiglierivega's door, a police sergeant heard screaming and spotted blood nearby.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Officers arrived at the scene and found people screaming as a man was lying in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of scream

Browse Nearby Words

heeds
hee-haw
hee-hawed
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Cite this Entry

“Hee-haw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hee-haw. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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