as in laughter
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1
as in laughing
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
he snickered at the puzzled look on her face
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in giggling
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
only hard-core fans of teen comedies will snicker at this lame attempt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of snickering
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026
But then, both songs get the film’s most showstopping presentations, so snickering evidently wasn’t the goal.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Dec. 2025
As the Columbus Blue Jackets were set to make their sixth-round pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, one of the club’s former scouts, Rob Riley, heard snickering among his colleagues at their table on the draft floor.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
My friend can be forgiven for snickering.
—Murr Brewster, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
This rare unity across the aisle in the wake of a horrible tragedy left TMZ, the popular entertainment news platform known for its tenacity and deluge of scoops, on the defensive about the on-air snickering.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
But after the boy’s friends started snickering, Gramps shifted to a more succinct potato reference.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026
But then, both songs get the film’s most showstopping presentations, so snickering evidently wasn’t the goal.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Dec. 2025
As the Columbus Blue Jackets were set to make their sixth-round pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, one of the club’s former scouts, Rob Riley, heard snickering among his colleagues at their table on the draft floor.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
My friend can be forgiven for snickering.
—Murr Brewster, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snickering
Noun
-
But murmurs of laughter broke out a few times when justices noted constitutional tensions in the case.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Cristian, who goes by CJ, is a cheerful and affectionate young boy who brings joy to those around him with his frequent smiles and laughter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Airline customers aren’t laughing, at least right now.—
John Seewer,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His portrayal of academic life will leave real professors wincing, if not giggling … Despite the obvious research that Martel put into his novel, there are too many gaffes about Homer and Greek epic to persuade any expert.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Its wicked sense of humor had spectators giggling throughout all three episodes, only to then break their hearts a little.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At several points during Michael’s courtroom remarks, Gillow was seen shaking her head in disagreement, even smiling.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
All words used by smiling Warriors coaches and players to describe Stephen Curry.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 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
Verb
-
Authorities say Valdez had multiple untreated mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, and that he had been seen in Concord earlier in the day screaming at cars.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Williams was celebrating an offensive foul called against Doncic by gleefully screaming in Doncic's personal space.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snickering. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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