laughter

Definition of laughternext
as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement the nervous producers were reassured by the sounds of laughter coming from the theater

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 laughter There is laughter and coarse language expected of a large group of men in their 20s and 30s, but mostly quiet focus. Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 Around $23 per night, a price point that has drawn both fascination and nervous laughter across social media. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026 This reflects something specific to Balkan ritual cultures, where grief, obscenity, laughter, and magic coexist. George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 Maybe that’s the best way to end this — with that laughter. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughter
Noun
  • After a chuckle, someone asked what the doctor’s diagnosis had been.
    Rebecca Edmisten, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • And what begins as a clever, high-concept joke doesn’t always build beyond a steady stream of chuckles.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Wishing you all a week of giggles, group projects, and—yes—solidarity.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Their antics made Huntington Beach a national laughingstock — but Gates and his pals so far have had the last giggle.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Their laughs and chatter fill the countryside and one another’s hearts, the merriment binding them all together like caterpillars in one big cocoon.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Over Your Dead Body knows that sustaining a harmonious union amid petty jealousies, paranoia, and personal flaws is hard; navigating a hostage situation involving desperate sickos and sociopaths is even harder; and maintaining a balance of laughs and gag-reflex tweaking is the hardest of it all.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The dialogue is overladen with snicker-worthy cliches, a swelling, melodramatic soundtrack that doesn’t match the mood, dubious cameos and plastic, perfunctory life-affirming quotes.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The event also had free opportunities to take photos, get ice cream snickers and have earned a Super Bowl post card.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated February 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Laughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughter. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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