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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hee-haw
  1. laughter
  2. laugh
  3. chuckle
  4. giggle
  5. snicker
  6. scream
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
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The straw materials practically scream summer, crafted to go with all of your beach looks this season.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026
  • Usher went on to remove his leather jacket to reveal a sculpted bare torso, to screams of delight from much of the audience.
    — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026
Definition of scream
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.

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 21 Jul. 2026.

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