laugh 1 of 2

verb

ˈlaf How to pronounce laugh (audio)
Definition of laughnext
1
as in to giggle
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound everyone laughed when the clown dramatically slipped and fell

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to smile
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions you're going to try out for the football team? Don't make me laugh!

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laugh

2 of 2

noun

1
as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement the child's frown turned into a laugh when he saw the clown

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hoot
someone or something that is very funny that new sitcom is a laugh

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter the film comedy had a good laugh in just about every scene

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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 laugh
Verb
On Wednesday, the evening before they were set to dock, the mood seemed far more jovial aboard the ship; sailors were chatting and laughing, some were running a 5K around a deck now free of aircraft. — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026 When that occasionally happens, Sheeran laughs it off and starts over. — Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
This is cinéma du doomscrolling at its funniest and its doomiest, generating the sort of laughs usually experienced by those strolling toward the gallows. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 The evening brought plenty of laughs, but also a recognition that the progress CAPE and the broader AAPI entertainment community have made remains vulnerable amid an industry facing contraction, layoffs, and shrinking opportunities. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laugh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laugh
  1. giggle
  2. smile
  3. chuckle
  4. hoot
  5. joke
  6. scream
  7. sneer
  8. laughter
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
Verb
  • Seven thousand nights of walking onto a stage and giving people a reason to smile, dance, remember, fall in love, or maybe just forget their troubles for a couple of hours.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The Houston Texans beat the Tennessee Titans on Sunday for their first victory of the season, but that's not the reason coach DeMeco Ryans left his postgame news conference with a big laugh and smile.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of smile
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
Noun
  • Whyte is a hoot, and her thick-as-thieves chemistry with Horgan a delight.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Church bells, owl hoots and sprinklers keeping the grass hydrated during this dry spell fill the space between the occasional motor trudging along a main road devoid of commotion.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of hoot
Noun
  • Fitoussi said the project began almost as a joke, with the idea of casting one of France’s busiest actors as someone who never gets to act.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This set off a series of jokes between Meriwether and the cast, along with confirmation that there are no real plans for a reunion at this time.
    — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • In June 2016, Blair, who was returning to Los Angeles from a vacation in Cancun, Mexico, began screaming uncontrollably and causing chaos on the flight.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Back in California, Dodgers fans screamed at their television sets.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • Five times in the last two months, the president has sneered at and insulted female reporters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The reader is not asked to sneer at Ruby for wanting Ellen’s attention.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of sneer
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

Phrases Containing laugh

Browse Nearby Words

lauds
laugh
laughable
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Cite this Entry

“Laugh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laugh. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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