chuckle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of chucklenext
as in laughter
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement a quick chuckle at the funny comment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chuckle

2 of 2

verb

ˈchə-kᵊl How to pronounce chuckle (audio)
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound everyone dutifully chuckled at the professor's intended jokes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 chuckle
Noun
Even Saturday Night Live’s reigning king of smarm, Colin Jost, playing a henpecked husband, got some chuckles out of me. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026 The two admit now – Adrianne with a chuckle and DeVaux through tears – that their sisterly relationship suffered for a while, as DeVaux tried to square peg her sister. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Verb
When it was mentioned to Sheets that Taylor has the swagger of a giant, Sheets chuckled. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2026 Vance chuckles when asked about Trump’s pontifications and whether the president has ever asked him for spiritual advice. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for chuckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chuckle
  1. laughter
  2. laugh
  3. giggle
  4. snicker
Noun
  • He’s long delved into the dark corners of his lived and theoretical experience, pushing toward sticky, disquieting ideas that sent ripples of nervous laughter through a crowd unable to reject his reasoning.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
  • If philosophy begins in wonder, trenchant social drama seems to start in laughter.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • Swift shared a glimpse of the fun on Instagram by posting some Polaroids of them laughing, hugging and enjoying red, white and blue Popsicles.
    — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • England would be a laughing stock (and already home) without him.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Admittedly, Carmy is not exactly a bucket of giggles in this episode, or, really, in any episode.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Many animals can laugh too, but the giggles don’t follow human patterns as closely.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026
Definition of giggle
Noun
  • The grown-ups in the audience snicker.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
  • There were snickers from some of the other students, including a tall and lank-haired kid whose name Adele didn’t know.
    — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

chucking (out)
chuckle
chuckled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chuckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chuckle

Nglish: Translation of chuckle for Spanish Speakers

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