CHUCKLE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

chuckle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of chuckle

as in laughter

an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement a quick chuckle at the funny comment

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chuckle

2 of 2

verb

ˈchə-kᵊl

as in to laugh

to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound everyone dutifully chuckled at the professor's intended jokes

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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 chuckle

Noun

For one, our laughs sound different based on context — from a polite chuckle among colleagues to a full-bodied guffaw with close friends. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 Prince William gives a heartfelt chuckle during his visit to the Apricot Centre, a carbon-negative farm and wellbeing service, on June 18. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026

Verb

Yet Schoenbrun’s needle drops also seem to have been chosen to make the audience chuckle. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 When some of his younger Bears teammates came up huffing and puffing toward the end of practice last week at Halas Hall, veteran center Garrett Bradbury couldn’t help but chuckle. — Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chuckle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chuckle

Noun

The live show’s audience, filled with women in floral maxidresses and bearded men who probably host their own podcasts, was more than ready for love and laughter.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
After failing to suppress her laughter, Brattin sunk to the floor as another host continued the segment on the live broadcast.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of laughter

Verb

My mom pulled off something incredible by facilitating this surprise, this gift, and Justin and I started laughing out of pure bliss.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
The Tonight Show audience laughed before Scott was asked about his daughter’s reaction to the lesson.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

Meanwhile, donning night-vision giggles, Knoxville gleefully attacks them with trash can lids and tasers.

— Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
At one moment, the young prince glances down with his doe eyes before looking shyly off to the side at his mom and breaking out into a giggle.

— Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of giggle

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

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“Chuckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chuckle. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of chuckle

noun

verb

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