as in laughter
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
humorous anecdotes that are likely to evoke lots of smiles but few belly laughs
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Recent Examples of belly laugh
The rapidity with which her end nears is approached with big feelings, but also lots of belly laughs through a score packed with wit and wisdom.
—
David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Without a talented ad agency behind you, a good rule of thumb is to go for clever humor that makes people smile or chuckle instead of trying for a side-splitting belly laugh.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Morrison misses his late partner’s gigantic belly laugh that would engulf everything in its orbit.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Nothing was off-limits in Mad, a newsstand stalwart that would reach peak annual sales in the 1970s of 2.5 million issues by delivering belly laughs and self-satisfaction to America’s class clowns through cartoons, parodies, sarcastic characters and an unending stream of gross-out gags.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belly laugh
David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Without a talented ad agency behind you, a good rule of thumb is to go for clever humor that makes people smile or chuckle instead of trying for a side-splitting belly laugh.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Morrison misses his late partner’s gigantic belly laugh that would engulf everything in its orbit.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Nothing was off-limits in Mad, a newsstand stalwart that would reach peak annual sales in the 1970s of 2.5 million issues by delivering belly laughs and self-satisfaction to America’s class clowns through cartoons, parodies, sarcastic characters and an unending stream of gross-out gags.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belly laugh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly laugh
Noun
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Depletion Burnout Imagine a parent who once cherished bedtime stories, playful afternoons and shared laughter with their children.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Nobody said anything in response but the awkward question did trigger laughter and some applause from round the table.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Kate McKinnon's alien abduction sketch is always a favorite, largely thanks to how often guests break character in fits of giggles.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
17 Feb. 2025
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Thompson's physicality with the teens matched by Sudeikis' trademark hop on the desk, regularly caused the cast to break into a fit of giggles, especially Hader, who was sadly absent from Sunday's primetime special.—
Jillian Sederholm,
EW.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Expect plenty of laughs, heartfelt moments, and unforgettable speeches as Hollywood's finest take the stage.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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The free event will bring together some of Miami’s top comedians, including Paula Barros, Carlos Hernandez, and Kyle Grooms, for a night of belly-aching laughs, tasty craft brews, and that unmatched 305 energy.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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League sources stifle their snickers in public while privately marveling at the owner’s ceaseless stupidity. 3.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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So he must be placed in the Apparition section, next to ghosts like John Barron, sharing a snicker with Ivana.—
Greg Marotta,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belly laugh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly%20laugh. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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