CHUCKLING Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

chuckling 1 of 2

adjective

as in smiling

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Dissimilar Words

chuckling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of chuckle

as in laughing

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 chuckling

Verb

The Tío Xavier persona that Becerra supporters have trotted out — a kind, chuckling sage — isn’t what California needs right now. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Cubs pitcher David Peterson was coming out of the bullpen to pitch in the eighth inning after the fight took place, and the umpires were chuckling. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 In a New York Times interview, producer Tyran Donaldson, who has also worked with SZA, recalled chuckling at listening to the Diamonds work with the instrument. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026 And The Rest Is Football(Netflix, YouTube) is the latest podcast to make the leap to the small screen, with former England internationals Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and the ever-chuckling Micah Richards serving up a daily helping of World Cup analysis alongside the usual chummy banter. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 10 June 2026 Baffert watched it all on his laptop from California, chuckling as the board showing the horse’s price flaked out momentarily. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 1 May 2026 Jaynie Adams, historian at Arizona Historical Society, told The Arizona Republic, chuckling. — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 30 Apr. 2026 Flying cows, fiddle-playing cats, and chuckling retrievers inhabit the space between ornate columns. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chuckling

Adjective

Women in black hijabs and abayas, many wearing badges depicting Zahra’s smiling face, lined the streets as men prayed over her casket, placed outside the Husseiniya, a Shiite hall.

— Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
As Thomas’ parents, Katina Smith and Bobby Thomas, unveiled their son’s smiling statue in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame Plaza last Sunday, as scores of his former teammates looked on in sadness and joy, Miller was 800 miles away in Dallas, gearing up for a game against the Cowboys.

— Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025

Definition of smiling

Verb

Curiously, the same thing happened to Altobelli, and the two of us ended up breaking into a clamorous chorus of laughter, confirming our complicity, especially when laughing at one of our idols.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Unwilling to risk more men, Bran is forced to leave his crewmate there, laughing madly on the distant shore.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of laughing

Verb

Last episode, Jelly and Devin were out there giggling on the beach like Will and Grace with sand stuck in their coochies.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
During her September 30 visit with West Sussex Minibus, a volunteer transport organization in England that works to combat social isolation, Kate was photographed locking eyes and giggling with members of the local community.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of giggling

Adjective

Her Calla Lily sconces show her mirthful approach, also embodied in her towering egg and pear lamps.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Haim managed to put on a show that felt about 95% mirthful while still honoring the integrity of the new songs that dig emotionally deeper.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025

Definition of mirthful

Adjective

Feeling gleeful at the first excuse to pull on a sweater or light an autumn candle?

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Oct. 2026
Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play isn’t a musical, but about two-thirds of the way through, there’s a sing-off that’s both a gleeful showstopper and a wry metatheatrical treat.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of gleeful

Adjective

A day after more mass protests and clashes in Paris, the atmosphere was jovial and upbeat among American football fans attending the NFL's first game in France on Sunday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Bell replied in his usual jovial manner, agreeing to the reproduction of his photo in the forthcoming article.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of jovial

Browse Nearby Words

chucklesome

chuckling

chuck (out)

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Cite this Entry

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“Chuckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckling. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of chuckling

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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