as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
the satisfying comedy put us in a laughing mood for the rest of the evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in giggling
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
everyone laughed when the clown dramatically slipped and fell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sneering
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
you're going to try out for the football team? Don't make me laugh!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laughing
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The laughing becomes infectious.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Belt It Out at Sweet Caroline Karaoke Bar If your idea of a great date involves a little chaos, a lot of laughing, and maybe a surprisingly decent duet, Sweet Caroline Karaoke Bar is calling your name.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
The former competitive cheerleader said the laughing was an act of misogyny.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
In a video shared with CBS News Chicago by an immigration rapid response group, Bovino can be seen on the sidewalk standing with a group of Border Patrol agents, talking and laughing.
—Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
Harbour and Brown arrived together on the red carpet for the premiere of the latest season and were captured on camera laughing, hugging each other and posing for photos.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
The laughing and stuff wasn’t written into it.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
One of the photos showed Berry laughing and vacation alongside her current romantic partner, musician Van Hunt.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
In the security video, the two officers can be seen laughing and shaking hands with the assailants.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
New rom-com 'The Drama' is no laughing matterNeed a news break?
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Then last Tuesday in the Brewers-Rays game, Bucknor blew a call at first base that was so obviously wrong, both managers could be seen laughing at the replay on the scoreboard.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
And the barometer in the game for whether or not something's funny is if the crew behind the cameras start laughing, right?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026
Travelers on the jet bridge can be heard laughing and trying to help from afar.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Jamaica born About a hundred people gathered to lay Wilson to rest, singing, crying and laughing while remembering his kind heart, his hard work and his famous barbecue ribs and chicken wings.
—Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Airline customers aren’t laughing, at least right now.
—John Seewer, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
There was none of the usual laughing and joking.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The laughing becomes infectious.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Belt It Out at Sweet Caroline Karaoke Bar If your idea of a great date involves a little chaos, a lot of laughing, and maybe a surprisingly decent duet, Sweet Caroline Karaoke Bar is calling your name.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
The former competitive cheerleader said the laughing was an act of misogyny.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
In a video shared with CBS News Chicago by an immigration rapid response group, Bovino can be seen on the sidewalk standing with a group of Border Patrol agents, talking and laughing.
—Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
Harbour and Brown arrived together on the red carpet for the premiere of the latest season and were captured on camera laughing, hugging each other and posing for photos.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
The laughing and stuff wasn’t written into it.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
One of the photos showed Berry laughing and vacation alongside her current romantic partner, musician Van Hunt.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Friends like Lyle and Danny started laughing at us and edging away, calling Lisa my Yoko.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
In the security video, the two officers can be seen laughing and shaking hands with the assailants.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
New rom-com 'The Drama' is no laughing matterNeed a news break?
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Then last Tuesday in the Brewers-Rays game, Bucknor blew a call at first base that was so obviously wrong, both managers could be seen laughing at the replay on the scoreboard.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
And the barometer in the game for whether or not something's funny is if the crew behind the cameras start laughing, right?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026
Travelers on the jet bridge can be heard laughing and trying to help from afar.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Jamaica born About a hundred people gathered to lay Wilson to rest, singing, crying and laughing while remembering his kind heart, his hard work and his famous barbecue ribs and chicken wings.
—Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Airline customers aren’t laughing, at least right now.
—John Seewer, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughing
Adjective
-
Mau's reckless band of merry men inevitably leave a trail of bodies in their wake, leading police captain Brander Lawson (Wagner Moura) to investigate the criminal takeover of Janix.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Petrie, Doz and Morrow play multiple roles, including a gossipy Greek chorus and the band of merry fisherman (truly an astonishing array of Canadian accent work on display).—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was a lot of nervous smiling.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Umanmielen responded with a GIF of a smiling, but famously blind, Stevie Wonder.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On the two days that THR spent on set last summer, the young cast could regularly be heard giggling in between takes.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Rohan chatted with the women while the children darted around, sneaking looks at us and giggling.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In character as a free spirit who scorns social convention, Davis is all haughty tosses of the head and sneering lines.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Chalamet, whose grandmother, mother, and sister all performed with the New York City Ballet, is not sneering at the artists.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Vivacious Mars dances with jolly Jupiter, energizing your 6th House of Practice and your 10th House of Ambition.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In early February, Raphael Bostic sat on a stage chuckling, and a bit embarrassed, while his predecessor handed him a pair of gifts.—
Mirtha Donastorg,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In the front of the bus, Kilgo first started chuckling softly.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Confetti Dot, in cheerful red or navy, is a festive favorite and a go-to gift.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Items such as a plastic tablecloth and small plates or napkins can also be added to create a festive celebration.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Linebacker Oh, linebacker, a position screaming out for help and coming away with nothing, much like most Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight tackle attempts in the first half of last season.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In the video, recorded by Mortensen on his cellphone, Paul can be seen screaming and throwing metal chairs, one of which struck one of her children who witnessed the altercation, according to the criminal indictment.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laughing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughing. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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