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 The story celebrates love in various forms and features unexpected twists, with moments of humor and others that evoke laughter, applause and even a few surprises from the audience. — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026 Or at least warts that had been covered up by the flattering glow of dim lighting, flowers, champagne toasts, and laughter. — Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026 One of them mentioned that maybe, just possibly, all the laughter had upset a spirit in the house. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 Blown up for a movie-theater screen, what may have once played as a chilling enactment of justice is now more likely to receive rollicking laughter from its audience, so theatrical is Hansen’s moralizing. — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughter

Noun

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
Toward the end of the panel, Buttimer noted that Connaughton would have wanted to argue with each speaker, drawing chuckles from the audience.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of chuckle

Noun

Or two birds face-to-face in close proximity, covering themselves with their wings as if to share a secret kiss away from prying eyes, could evoke a giggle.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Whittler kept trying to make it through the broadcast, but couldn’t contain her giggles.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of giggle

Noun

The show is hosted by Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, who never fail to bring the laughs as the home bakers succeed, or seize, under pressure.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Oct. 2026
Eisenberg’s film garnered considerable laughs — and applause — from the theater-going crowd at its starry NYFF screening that saw Eisenberg, the cast, producer Emma Stone and even Claire Danes in attendance.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of laugh

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

Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

laughs off

laughter

laughters

See all Nearby Words

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“Laughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughter. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of laughter

noun

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