1
as in giggles
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
everyone laughed when the clown dramatically slipped and fell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smiles
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
1
as in chuckles
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
the child's frown turned into a laugh when he saw the clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hoots
someone or something that is very funny
that new sitcom is a laugh
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter
the film comedy had a good laugh in just about every scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laughs
Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Honestly, my only regret is this thing in the eye [laughs].
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Lanning smiles and laughs a whole lot more than Cignetti, in public at least.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Everybody laughs and the tension is released.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Liz Kihn, a stay-at-home mom from Pennsylvania, has seen videos of mothers waking up on Christmas morning to find their stockings empty while the rest of the family laughs it off.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Son laughs, recalling that decision during an interview in his Tokyo penthouse office, which overlooks Edo-period gardens.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Our group laughs at your group.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Affleck laughs and waits a beat.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
But the comedians also used those laughs to reveal the fundamental absurdity of violence and conflict.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
But behind all those laughs was a financial nightmare that almost derailed everything.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 7 Jan. 2026
Billed as a final chapter, the film is short on laughs and its romantic arc fails to convince, said Sight and Sound – but fans loved it, and many wept.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 Jan. 2026
Here's to a year of sights, eats, new and old friends, and more than a few laughs.
—Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
The Minions are a universally funny antidote to summer boredom, providing nonstop, easily digestible laughs for the whole family.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 1 Jan. 2026
However, their brief laughs quickly turned to concern as the huge bouncing ball barreled off its track and toward the audience.
—Cristian Santana, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
Rudick brings the laughs to Mic Drop Comedy.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
Simmons laughs when recalling the experience.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Honestly, my only regret is this thing in the eye [laughs].
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Lanning smiles and laughs a whole lot more than Cignetti, in public at least.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Everybody laughs and the tension is released.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Liz Kihn, a stay-at-home mom from Pennsylvania, has seen videos of mothers waking up on Christmas morning to find their stockings empty while the rest of the family laughs it off.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Son laughs, recalling that decision during an interview in his Tokyo penthouse office, which overlooks Edo-period gardens.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Our group laughs at your group.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Affleck laughs and waits a beat.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Not all of the jokes work, but even the grumpiest theatergoers will find plenty of laughs.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
But the comedians also used those laughs to reveal the fundamental absurdity of violence and conflict.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
But behind all those laughs was a financial nightmare that almost derailed everything.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 7 Jan. 2026
Billed as a final chapter, the film is short on laughs and its romantic arc fails to convince, said Sight and Sound – but fans loved it, and many wept.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 Jan. 2026
Here's to a year of sights, eats, new and old friends, and more than a few laughs.
—Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
The Minions are a universally funny antidote to summer boredom, providing nonstop, easily digestible laughs for the whole family.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 1 Jan. 2026
However, their brief laughs quickly turned to concern as the huge bouncing ball barreled off its track and toward the audience.
—Cristian Santana, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
Rudick brings the laughs to Mic Drop Comedy.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughs
Verb
-
The teaser video that followed showed a device straight out of a sci-fi film, something between Wall-E and BB-8, with a camera that giggles and swivels on command.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
-
At one point, Gracie Abrams giggles with Swift behind the scenes, while Carpenter appears in a t-shirt and sits on a couch as the trek’s headliner practices guitar.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In one clip verified by ABC News, a man smiles at the camera, standing amid dozens of charred vehicles and lifeless bodies.—
Guy Davies,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Prue takes a bite, just smiles, and gives Tom a big thumbs-up.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There are a lot more chuckles in Episode 2, not just because there is no longer a terrorist subplot and its resulting anxiety to be grappled with, but because Florence Welch, of Florence + the Machine, makes for such a sweet comic foil, of sorts.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Sending up the no-stakes frivolity of progressive Reform Judaism, characters played by Seth Rogen and Kate Berlant get some insight-free chuckles.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are hoots and hollers from raucous tourists on Bourbon Street, for example.—
Matt Alderton,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
There are a few hoots and hollers as the others agree or protest.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Yes, as it is said, some jokes just write themselves.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Performers have been reprimanded for making racist, sexist and homophobic jokes during shows in the late 1990s and 2000s, according to Westword, and Stock Show officials were quick to apologize.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That stretch screams points, and the wise move might be to start planning your route to Salah.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Princess Charlotte, 10, grins at the camera, while her brothers, Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, 7, have their faces turned towards their father.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
2 Jan. 2026
-
California lawyer Arvand Naderi grins from one of the many billboards that have turned him into a regional star.—
Adam M. Rosen,
thehustle.co,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laughs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughs. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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