Definition of laughternext
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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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 laughter And the reason that family stayed together was because of laughter and obvious love. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Stewart and Addyman meanwhile surveyed more than 2,000 parents to identify noises their babies responded to, which included animal sounds and other children’s laughter (both of which feature in the song). — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 But there were scores of times that the specific verbiages were a source of humor judging by the laughter of many in the audience. — Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 The only thing that is missing, more often than not, is the squeals and laughter of children taking a break and playing in the middle of the school day. — Rachel Deitch, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughter
Noun
  • Walzer thought the matter through aloud with me, at one point letting out a small chuckle at his intellectual perplexity.
    — Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • David’s Davidness—always eating a bowl of cereal before bed, hoarding Wagon Wheels, calling his artificial sweeteners ‘depth charges,’ laughing with a half-private chuckle at his own bad jokes—comes off the page in sparks.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Memoirs proceeds from there with that simultaneous posture of high-minded openness and a childish giggle.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The letter is met with snaps and giggles, as a 5-year-old Cary warns of imminent death.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • White elephant gift exchanges are a holiday party staple, bringing plenty of laughs, a little friendly competition and, of course, the occasional gift-stealing showdown.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Cohen is so naturally funny and quick with improvisation that there are plenty of laughs along the way.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Laughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughter. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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