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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of 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
Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
More of the Clyburn family is seen throughout the trailer crying, laughing and living in Montana.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2026
Members of the national Young Republicans organization were caught in a group chat laughing about their love for Hitler.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
Will miss our guys laughing at Christmas parties together.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
One of Florida’s largest first-magnitude springs, Rainbow Springs anchors a 1,470-acre park that now hums with kayaks gliding over eelgrass, snorkelers drifting above schools of fish, and tubers laughing downstream on summer afternoons.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026
In the complaint, Wilson alleged that a supervising officer is heard laughing while at the crash scene.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
The audience, some quietly weeping, some laughing through tears, stayed.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
California authorities weren’t laughing.
—Ethan Baron, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
Even Wilder was completely engaged, spotting colorful beadwork and laughing as Alvin played.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
More of the Clyburn family is seen throughout the trailer crying, laughing and living in Montana.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2026
Members of the national Young Republicans organization were caught in a group chat laughing about their love for Hitler.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
Will miss our guys laughing at Christmas parties together.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
One of Florida’s largest first-magnitude springs, Rainbow Springs anchors a 1,470-acre park that now hums with kayaks gliding over eelgrass, snorkelers drifting above schools of fish, and tubers laughing downstream on summer afternoons.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026
In the complaint, Wilson alleged that a supervising officer is heard laughing while at the crash scene.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
The audience, some quietly weeping, some laughing through tears, stayed.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
California authorities weren’t laughing.
—Ethan Baron, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughing
Adjective
-
The atmosphere was noisy in a good way, with merry patrons having a good time.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Pip pip, cheerio, and a merry good day to you, sirs and madams.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 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
-
Unexpected seatmates Momsen and Goldberg often nodded together in agreement as power suits and statement furs came down the runway, giggling at times due to Jones' commentary.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Think of things that bring you back to the days of making handmade Valentines for your secret crush and giggling with your friends after eating way too much Fun Dip.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Impossibly cool at 60 years old, Reznor is all swagger, with his soaring, sneering vocals sounding as strong as his first decade recording.—
William Earl,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Where is the patriotism in sneering at America’s great achievements?—
Emilie G.C. Thompson,
STAT,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His jolly presence, which is 21-feet wide, is stopping drivers in front of Katie Aalerud's house.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
While his jolly personality won him many friends at the top of the pyramid, his flock of ordinary Catholics saw only his other side.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 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
-
This 18-inch-by-18-inch square pillow is emblazoned with a bright green fuzzy clover to add a cozy, festive touch to your couch or chair.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
-
During the December quarter, the Indian economy saw a selective uptick in domestic consumption of gold and automobiles due to the festive season.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
People went ballistic—cursing, yelling, screaming, all kinds of threats.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laughing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughing. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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