Synonyms of chuckle

chuckle 1 of 2

noun

as in laughter

an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement

a quick chuckle at the funny comment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• laughter
• giggle
• laugh
• snicker
• smile
• guffaw
• grin
• smirk
• snigger
• chortle
• titter
• cackle
• belly laugh
• horselaugh
• hee-haw
• cachinnation
• twitter
• crow
• whoop
• boff
• boffola
• simper

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cry
• groan
• sob
• moan
• wail
• frown
• mouth
• grimace
• face
• scowl
• pout
• lower

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• laugh
• giggle
• scream
• smile
• snicker
• grin
• chortle
• roar
• cackle
• titter
• hee-haw
• crack up
• twitter
• break up
• split one's sides

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cry
• weep
• sob
• bawl
• howl
• blubber
• squall
• wail
• whine
• whimper
• groan
• sigh
• sniffle
• bleat
• moan
• yowl
• snivel
• pule

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chuckle

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

Verb

Cubs pitcher David Peterson was coming out of the bullpen to pitch in the eighth inning after the fight took place, and the umpires were chuckling. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Everyone chuckled, especially our Argentinian hosts, who had never met an Idaho cowboy quite like True before. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026