LAUGHTER Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

laughter

noun

ˈlaf-tər

Definition of laughter

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 My father was literally crying with laughter within about 20 seconds. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Some say there is a fine line between anguish or sadness — and laughter. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Nolan Wells should have turned 19 surrounded by a birthday cake, candles and laughter. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Wishing you both a lifetime of love, laughter, and endless adventures! — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughter

Noun

So Sydanmaa looks back on his first-ever varsity play with a chuckle.

— Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Brian Leonard’s smartly funny ode to his difficult daughter — a child whose behavior was so problematic, the family cycled through 28 therapists — offers plenty of chuckles, even with key questions left unanswered.

— Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of chuckle

Noun

Her giggles kept interrupting the tune through much of her performance, and soon Pioneer Hall was laughing with her and cheering her through it.

— Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 18 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, donning night-vision giggles, Knoxville gleefully attacks them with trash can lids and tasers.

— Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of giggle

Noun

There was nothing particularly novel about the show’s premise, but the scripts were refreshingly dense with jokes, prioritizing laughs over contrived drama or seasonlong relationship arcs.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The trooper is conscious, in good spirits and able to have conversations, laugh and smile, according to Sgt.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

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
Classic cookies come in 11 flavors like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snicker doodle, white chocolate macadamia nut, fruity pebbles, monster and white chocolate cranberry.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2026

Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

laughs off

laughter

laughters

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“Laughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughter. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of laughter

noun

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