LAUGH Synonyms | 28 Other Ways to Say Laugh (Examples)

Ever find yourself stuck using the word "laugh" over and over? Want to make your writing or conversations more fun and expressive? In this article, we'll explore 28 synonyms for laugh, from "giggle" to "guffaw," showing how each one can add flavor. You'll see examples and learn when to use each one effectively.

Chuckle

A chuckle is a soft, quiet laugh that expresses amusement without being too loud or obvious. It's perfect for situations where you want to show subtle joy or enjoyment, like when reading a funny text or watching a mild joke. People who prefer keeping things low-key often use chuckle, and it works well in both casual chats and storytelling.

• He couldn't help but chuckle at the clever pun.
• She chuckled softly while reading the amusing note.
• I chuckled when I saw his playful mistake.

Giggle

Giggle is a light, high-pitched laugh that often conveys happiness, nervousness, or embarrassment. Children and teens commonly giggle, but adults use it too when something is delightfully funny. It's best for expressing excitement or joy in a cheerful, innocent way. Perfect for social situations, storytelling, or friendly banter.

• The children giggled at the clown's silly tricks.
• She giggled when she realized her mistake.
• I couldn't stop giggling at the awkward situation.

Chortle

Chortle combines a chuckle and a snort, showing strong amusement. It's ideal for describing hearty, cheerful laughter that's playful and full of character. Writers use chortle to make scenes vivid, and friends use it when enjoying a funny story. It gives personality to laughter and shows genuine enjoyment.

• He chortled at the witty remark.
• She chortled when he tripped over the rug.
• I chortled at the clever joke in the book.

Snicker

A snicker is a quiet, often slightly sneaky laugh, usually in response to someone else's mistake or an inside joke. It conveys mischief or playful teasing. Perfect for informal conversations or narratives where you want to show amusement that's not openly boisterous. It's commonly used among friends and colleagues.

• They snickered when the teacher mispronounced the word.
• He snickered at his friend's awkward attempt.
• I snickered quietly as they argued over nothing.

Snigger

Snigger is very similar to snicker but can carry a slightly British or formal tone. It's subtle and often secretive, showing restrained amusement. Use it to convey sly humor or a situation where laughter is suppressed. It's great for storytelling or descriptive writing where context matters.

• She sniggered behind her hand during the performance.
• He sniggered at the minor mishap.
• I sniggered when I noticed the funny costume.

Guffaw

Guffaw is a loud, boisterous laugh that shows full enjoyment and amusement. It's used when something is hilariously funny or extremely entertaining. People use guffaw in storytelling or humorous situations to convey uncontrollable laughter. Perfect for expressing the biggest laughs.

• He guffawed at the comedian's joke.
• She guffawed when the dog did a silly trick.
• I couldn't help but guffaw at the movie scene.

Cackle

Cackle is a sharp, sometimes harsh laugh, often associated with witches or mischievous characters in stories. It works best in storytelling to show dramatic or evil humor. It conveys a strong personality and can be playful or threatening depending on context.

• She cackled at her clever plan.
• The villain cackled menacingly in the movie.
• I cackled when the prank worked perfectly.

Titter

Titter is a restrained, nervous, or polite laugh. It's useful in situations where people laugh quietly due to embarrassment, shyness, or social norms. Writers use it to show characters' reactions subtly. Teachers, speakers, or audiences often titter when amused but trying to remain proper.

• The audience tittered at the awkward moment.
• She tittered nervously during the speech.
• I tittered when I heard the mild joke.

Roar

Roar describes a loud, explosive laugh. It's perfect for moments of extreme hilarity where laughter fills the room. Comedians, storytellers, or enthusiastic groups often roar with laughter. It conveys intensity and high energy in a memorable way.

• He roared with laughter at the sketch.
• She roared when the joke hit perfectly.
• I roared at the comedian's outrageous story.

Howl

Howl is similar to roar but often indicates wild or unrestrained laughter. It's used for extreme amusement, often when the humor is outrageous. Great for storytelling, social events, or situations where laughter is intense and continuous.

• They howled at the ridiculous scene.
• She howled when the video went viral.
• I howled at the funny message from my friend.

Belly laugh

Belly laugh describes laughter that comes from deep within, showing total enjoyment. It's heartfelt and involuntary, perfect for strong humor or moments that feel liberating. Friends, family, and social gatherings often spark belly laughs.

• He had a belly laugh at the silly joke.
• She let out a belly laugh during the movie.
• I couldn't stop a belly laugh at the prank.

Crack up

To crack up is to burst into uncontrollable laughter. It works in informal settings and conveys sudden, spontaneous amusement. People use it with friends, colleagues, or in funny storytelling to show reactions.

• He cracked up at the hilarious meme.
• She cracked up during the funny scene.
• I cracked up when I saw the dog costume.

Tee-hee

Tee-hee is a playful, childish laugh, light and cheerful. It's perfect for informal messages, humorous writing, or expressing innocent joy. Commonly used in casual conversations, online chats, or whimsical storytelling.

• She let out a tiny tee-hee at the joke.
• He gave a soft tee-hee during the prank.
• I couldn't resist a tee-hee at the funny remark.

Snort

A snort happens when laughter is combined with a sudden sound through the nose. It shows amusement and often surprise. Great for storytelling, casual chats, or humorous anecdotes. Can convey both delight and shock.

• He snorted at the clever pun.
• She snorted when she saw the awkward outfit.
• I snorted while reading the comic strip.

Hoot

Hoot is an informal, lively laugh often shared with a group. It shows enjoyment and social connection. Commonly used in casual conversations, storytelling, or describing humorous events among friends.

• The crowd hooted at the funny performance.
• She hooted when the joke landed perfectly.
• I hooted at my friend's prank.

Split one's sides

To split one's sides means to laugh extremely hard, almost physically. It shows intense amusement and is used in storytelling, jokes, or live events. Great for emphasizing moments of uncontrollable laughter.

• He split his sides at the comedian's act.
• She split her sides during the movie.
• I split my sides reading the hilarious book.

Burst out

To burst out laughing means to suddenly start laughing, often unexpectedly. Ideal for surprising, spontaneous humor or sudden funny moments. Common in storytelling, casual talk, and writing to convey immediacy.

• He burst out laughing at the prank.
• She burst out laughing in the middle of class.
• I burst out laughing at the silly video.

Shriek with laughter

Shrieking with laughter describes loud, high-pitched, uncontrolled amusement. Often used for extreme surprise or over-the-top funny moments. Great for expressive storytelling, social events, or dramatic reactions.

• She shrieked with laughter at the joke.
• He shrieked with laughter during the game.
• I shrieked with laughter at the funny scene.

Peal

A peal of laughter is loud, ringing, and often infectious. Often used in formal or literary contexts, it conveys joy spreading among people. Great for stories or settings where laughter resonates.

• A peal of laughter erupted in the room.
• She let out a peal of laughter at the trick.
• I heard a peal of laughter from my friends.

Cachinnate

Cachinnate is a fancy way of saying loud, hearty laughter. Best used in writing, storytelling, or humorous descriptions to add flair and sophistication. Often describes uncontrollable joy.

• They cachinnated at the comical situation.
• She cachinnated when the joke landed.
• I couldn't help but cachinnate at the scene.

Whoop

Whoop is a loud, excited laugh or exclamation. It shows extreme joy or celebration. Often used socially or in stories to express high energy amusement.

• He whooped with laughter at the funny stunt.
• She whooped after hearing the great news.
• I whooped during the hilarious moment.

Gaggle

Gaggle describes a noisy, often silly group laugh. Great for depicting social settings with multiple people laughing together. It conveys fun, chaos, and joy in informal storytelling.

• The children formed a gaggle of laughter.
• A gaggle of friends laughed at the prank.
• I joined the gaggle laughing at the video.

Snuffle

Snuffle is a suppressed laugh, often trying to be hidden or polite. It shows amusement without drawing attention. Ideal for storytelling, shy characters, or subtle humor.

• He snuffled when he heard the joke.
• She snuffled quietly at the funny comment.
• I snuffled at the awkward remark.

Titillate

Titillate, in older usage, can describe laughter sparked by delight or amusement. Great for literature or expressive writing to convey excitement leading to laughter.

• The story titillated their funny bones.
• He was titillated by the humorous scene.
• I felt titillated reading the comical story.

Riot

Riot can describe uncontrollable, loud laughter. It shows extreme amusement shared among many people. Ideal for storytelling, events, or humor-filled writing.

• The audience erupted into a riot of laughter.
• She joined the riot laughing at the show.
• I couldn't stop laughing in the riot of fun.

Hee-haw

Hee-haw is a loud, silly laugh, often playful or exaggerated. Great for casual storytelling, humor, or cartoons. Conveys fun and exuberance.

• Hee-hawed at the comedian's antics.
• She hee-hawed during the silly dance.
• I hee-hawed at the ridiculous video.

Snicker-snack

Snicker-snack is rare but conveys playful, rapid laughter. Often used in literature or exaggerated storytelling. Perfect for adding dramatic humor.

• They snicker-snacked at the funny event.
• She snicker-snacked at the absurd joke.
• I snicker-snacked reading the playful story.

Yuck it up

Yuck it up is informal, meaning to laugh loudly and enjoyably, usually with others. Best for casual conversation, parties, or shared humor.

• They yucked it up at the comedy show.
• She yucked it up with friends after the prank.
• I yucked it up watching the silly video.

Final Thoughts

Laughing is universal, but mixing up your words adds fun and personality. Whether it's a giggle, snicker, or guffaw, using these synonyms makes every moment more expressive. Try sprinkling them into stories, messages, or conversations to capture the full spectrum of laughter.