as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
a love scene that unintentionally drew sniggers from the audience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to laugh
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
we sniggered as the actor kept forgetting his lines
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 snigger
Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 May 2025
This offbeat comedy, which originally ran from 2007-10, thrives on less explicit social tensions: sniggers behind the back and raised eyebrows at the dinner table.
—The Economist, 26 Dec. 2019
Most football fans allowed themselves a brief snigger when Florentino Perez suggested that Real Madrid had tried to sign Lionel Messi many moons ago.
—SI.com, 9 Sep. 2017
The tribal leader sniggers; a trade with foreign infidels is inconceivable.
—Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025
Dour officials from the Department of Homeland Security who spotted his posts saw nothing to snigger about.
—The Economist, 8 June 2019
Noun
Each time an audience member so much as sniggers or sneezes, money is docked from a prize pot of £250,000 ($330,000), the slightest noise costing them up to £10,000 ($13,000) each time.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 May 2025
This offbeat comedy, which originally ran from 2007-10, thrives on less explicit social tensions: sniggers behind the back and raised eyebrows at the dinner table.
—The Economist, 26 Dec. 2019
Most football fans allowed themselves a brief snigger when Florentino Perez suggested that Real Madrid had tried to sign Lionel Messi many moons ago.
—SI.com, 9 Sep. 2017
The tribal leader sniggers; a trade with foreign infidels is inconceivable.
—Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
Verb
Jaclyn, Laurie, and Kate — immediately reverting back to the bitchy girls who ruled Nowhere High together — sniggered at the scene from behind designer sunnies.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025
Dour officials from the Department of Homeland Security who spotted his posts saw nothing to snigger about.
—The Economist, 8 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snigger
Noun
-
The more stinging irony here is that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping probably approved these public statements with a chuckle.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Add a few related to popular culture, news, or events of the year for an extra chuckle.—
Mary Alice Russell,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Honestly, my only regret is this thing in the eye [laughs].—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate achievements that make people laugh, then think.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hovering over his shoulder, Rhea Seehorn bursts into laughter.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Speakers at the opening event remembered Nick as a positive person who brought laughter and light into the lives of others.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The small Santa Clara diner offers a straightforward menu of burgers and burritos, paired with an abundance of patriotic decorations and walls covered in photographs of smiling customers.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Becky’s daughter Kaylie smiling as a baby.—
Becky Quick,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rita says with a giggle and a glint in her eye.—
Esme Nicholson,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Nash had an unorthodox solution to Goldberg’s giggles.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While there were a few snickers, the photographers obliged and got their photos.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Early never makes fun of Maddie, never lets the audience snicker at the screen.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Snigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snigger. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share