snigger 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sniggernext
as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement a love scene that unintentionally drew sniggers from the audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

snigger

2 of 2

verb

ˈsni-gər How to pronounce snigger (audio)
as in to laugh
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions we sniggered as the actor kept forgetting his lines

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 snigger
Noun
Each time an audience member so much as sniggers or sneezes, money is docked from a prize pot of £250,000 ($330,000), the slightest noise costing them up to £10,000 ($13,000) each time. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 May 2025 The tribal leader sniggers; a trade with foreign infidels is inconceivable. — Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
Verb
Jaclyn, Laurie, and Kate — immediately reverting back to the bitchy girls who ruled Nowhere High together — sniggered at the scene from behind designer sunnies. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025 Dour officials from the Department of Homeland Security who spotted his posts saw nothing to snigger about. — The Economist, 8 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snigger
  1. chuckle
  2. laugh
  3. laughter
  4. smile
  5. giggle
  6. snicker
Noun
  • The risk, though, with horror-comedy—with dinging from chuckles to shrieks and back again—is always an evacuated center.
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • And while most of the film is unrelentingly grim, its few stabs at dark humor — most notably the punchlines about the grandmother’s faulty memory — didn’t garner a chuckle from me.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Definition of chuckle
Verb
  • After handing Powell her order, Thomas said, laughing, that moments like that had become common since opening the storefront.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • This episode is classic Family Guy, boasting a memorable cameo from Playboy guru Hugh Hefner, plenty of cutaway comedy, and even more cultural references that will leave you laughing.
    — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • Despite being confined to her bed, covered in tubes, tangled in wires, despite being separated by gloves and masks and isolation gowns, our laughter permeated all those barriers.
    — Anna Tsioulias, STAT, 29 July 2026
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • Don’t cry because the men’s World Cup is over; smile because we are headed to Brazil in 339 days!
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Happy couple Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen smile on the carpet at the premiere of Dink on July 20 in Los Angeles.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Definition of smile
Noun
  • Keira Knightley is all giggles at day 12 of the 2026 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London on July 10.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • Admittedly, Carmy is not exactly a bucket of giggles in this episode, or, really, in any episode.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of giggle
Noun
  • 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
  • As is, this is a foolish thriller that prompts the occasional snicker but not much more.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

snifters
snigger
sniggered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snigger. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on snigger

Nglish: Translation of snigger for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All