as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
managed to keep a straight face for a minute before he let loose with a loud guffaw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 guffaw
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
But the fact that the play is now being presented as a period piece, set in the late 2010s, when it was first produced, puts us at just enough of a remove from the present madness to let down our guards and guffaw.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
At some point, those guffaws of the humanoid robots will lessen.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Garnering uncomfortable guffaws, Phillips talked about how Ventura asked him to urinate on her, but both the singer and Combs were highly critical of his technique.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for guffaw
Noun
But places that earn chuckles could be getting gasps and guffaws; moments that feel generally meditative could be devastating, if Lloyd were more interested in character work and less in mise en scène.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
But the fact that the play is now being presented as a period piece, set in the late 2010s, when it was first produced, puts us at just enough of a remove from the present madness to let down our guards and guffaw.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
At some point, those guffaws of the humanoid robots will lessen.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Garnering uncomfortable guffaws, Phillips talked about how Ventura asked him to urinate on her, but both the singer and Combs were highly critical of his technique.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for guffaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guffaw
Noun
-
The former Broncos receiver then broke into a chuckle, knowing quite well the discussion that’s swirling around Denver.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Between chuckles and jokes, two middle schoolers hovered over a pan heating on an electric stove.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Unexpected seatmates Momsen and Goldberg often nodded together in agreement as power suits and statement furs came down the runway, giggling at times due to Jones' commentary.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Students giggled and gasped in disbelief.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Perardi heard wind through the phone, laughter in the background, a cadence that could only be the sound of feet on a rubber track.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The bar-restaurant is a Stowe icon, which offers a festive post-ski atmosphere filled with music, laughter, and plenty of pints.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The other boys can be heard laughing in the background.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
After all, love is nice, but laughing with your ride-or-die friends?—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The event also had free opportunities to take photos, get ice cream snickers and have earned a Super Bowl post card.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
While there were a few snickers, the photographers obliged and got their photos.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guffaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaw. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
