GUFFAW Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

guffaw 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)gə-ˈfȯ

Definition of guffaw

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

guffaw

2 of 2

verb

as in to chuckle

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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 guffaw

Noun

There were waves of guffaws and, also, supportive finger-snapping. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026 Expect guffaws, and bring tissues. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026

Verb

Tykes get slapped around, shot with arrows and dangled in traffic — tortures that are played seriously, but the shock of them allows you to guffaw. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for guffaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guffaw

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

Moments of mutual support and understanding, of belly-aching laughter and silliness, of care and deep love.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
But there were scores of times that the specific verbiages were a source of humor judging by the laughter of many in the audience.

— Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of laughter

Verb

Less than half a mile away, business owner Sierra Jordan told CNN the familiar sound of children laughing and playing outside at recess gave way to the frantic arrival of ambulances.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
At-large Councilwoman Victoria Watlington posted an Instagram video of herself laughing about the situation the morning after the meeting.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 17 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

guff

guffaw

guffawed

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Style

“Guffaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guffaw. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of guffaw

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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