LAUGHTER Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

laughter

noun

ˈlaf-tər

Definition of laughter

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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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 Blown up for a movie-theater screen, what may have once played as a chilling enactment of justice is now more likely to receive rollicking laughter from its audience, so theatrical is Hansen’s moralizing. — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 As the songs played, people in the gallery could be seen hiding their faces, some of them apparently trying to cover their smirks and laughter, video shared online shows. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026 Every second onstage doesn’t have to be filled with laughter to be effective. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026 Deep laughter opens up the chest, boosts oxygen intake and stimulates circulation. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughter

Noun

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
Wickersham says, with only the slightest of chuckles, that every quarterback is something of a sociopath and likens them to politicians in the middle of a race.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of chuckle

Noun

Whittler kept trying to make it through the broadcast, but couldn’t contain her giggles.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
Her giggles kept interrupting the tune through much of her performance, and soon Pioneer Hall was laughing with her and cheering her through it.

— Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of giggle

Noun

This autumn, there are plenty of comedians rounding the country, all primed to provide you with boundless laughs.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 1 Oct. 2026
This laugh-out-loud picture book will delight young readers (and anyone else who’d like several hundred puppies).

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

But there’s another 45 supremely indulgent auteur gunk that is snicker-worthy.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
As executed, the 2019 show is an emotional yet refreshingly unsentimental black comedy that snickers in the face of empowerment buzzwords like, well, healing journey.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

laughs off

laughter

laughters

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Laughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughter. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of laughter

noun

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