1
as in to giggle
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
everyone laughed when the clown dramatically slipped and fell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to smile
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
you're going to try out for the football team? Don't make me laugh!
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
the child's frown turned into a laugh when he saw the clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
the film comedy had a good laugh in just about every scene
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 laugh
Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
Longtime Trump loyalists, including the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, started sharing a meme on Monday that depicted a bunch of cartoon lizard people laughing about having pulled one over on the unsuspecting public yet again.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
Emma Specter, Vogue, 8 July 2025
If all of the above was supposed to be a joke, MGM certainly had the last laugh.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for laugh
Verb
Amused, White watched in a suite with his wife and mother, laughing and shaking his head.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
Longtime Trump loyalists, including the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, started sharing a meme on Monday that depicted a bunch of cartoon lizard people laughing about having pulled one over on the unsuspecting public yet again.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
Noun
Love, laughs, e-commerce, Brooklyn brownstones; this film really has it all!
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 8 July 2025
If all of the above was supposed to be a joke, MGM certainly had the last laugh.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for laugh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laugh
Verb
-
In the pictures, the pair enjoy an intimate moment on a bench overlooking the water, embracing and giggling.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
7 July 2025
-
Over the course of Youssef’s set, reminders of Mamdani’s victory and the memory that something unexpected — something possibly quite good — had happened in this city had the audience giggling and roaring in equal measure, like laughing gas was being pumped through the room.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
29 June 2025
Verb
-
My seatmate nods, smiling, even her daughter looks up from her iPad.—
Rebecca Chace
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
-
And yet, when that year’s Oscar party kicked off at Morton’s, there was Lansing, smiling and posing with the editor-in-chief.—
Michael Grynbaum,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Just looking at photos of the different uniforms over the years is a hoot.—
Jeff Suess,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
-
Ralph threatens Alice in The Honeymooners, fist raised, and cue the pre-recorded hoots).—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Sriram peppers her debut with offbeat characters, sometimes giving them names that are jokes in and of themselves.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
11 July 2025
-
The jokes about alligators attacking immigrants while in detention have been casually tossed around by President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis and conservative and far-right influencers.—
Raisa Habersham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The committee members chuckled, indicating that Cox made a valid point.—
Anna Cecil,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
Trump said, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio chuckled behind him.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Second, the Jerries in Rommel’s Afrika Korps were honorable adversaries, while those in the S.S. were murderous, sneering bastards who cried Achtung Schweinhund!—
Alexander Rose,
Air Mail,
28 June 2025
-
There were a few England-only watchers who sneered at MLS.—
Josh Gross,
Oc Register,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Expect laughter, reflection, and real talk that inspires.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 July 2025
-
The remark by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies to fellow New York Rep. Elise Stefanik sparked laughter and several surprised reactions from other Democrats seated in the chamber.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
The rest of the group is rendered by capable performers, but their dialogue consists of rote exposition and the occasional scream, as pterodactyls dive-bomb them and T. rexes snap in their faces.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2025
-
Neighbors heard her screams and called for an ambulance.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laugh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laugh. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share