You may laugh at me.
Source: tatoeba (16076)
Laugh
/laːf/
Synonyms for "laugh" (199 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (40)
Noun(13 words)
be in heavenbe in stitchesbe pleasedbeambelittlebelly laughblue storyboffboffolabreak upbrush asideburst into laughterburst of laughterburst outburst out laughingburst with laughterbust a gutcachinnatecachinnationcackle
Verb(1 words)
Strong matches (60)
Related words (99)
japejeer atjestjestbookjokejoylampoonlaugh atlaugh it uplaugh outrightlaughinglaughterliltminimizemockerynearly die laughingoutburst of laughterpanicparodypasquil
Show 62 more words
pasquinadepeal of laughterplaypointpoke fun atpooh-poohpurrradiate cheerrejectrib ticklerridiculeriotrisibilityroarroar of laughterroar with laughterroastrompsatirizescoff atscornscreamshake like jellyshake with laughtershoutshout of laughtershriekshrug offsick jokesidesplittersight gagsimpersingskipsmilesmirksnickersniggersnigglesnortsparklesplitsplit with laughtersportspurnstorytake great satisfactiontauntteasetee heetee-heetittertread on airvisual jokewheezewhistlewhoopwide berthwowyarnyuckyuk-yuk
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: gag, joke, laughter, be in heaven, be in stitches.
- cackle: 'Cackle' is loud, sharp, and unrestrained, it can sound gleeful or wicked, and it's rarely described as pleasant.
- Sentence evidence is available for laugh, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "laugh".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "laugh"
Keep "laugh" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "laugh" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "laugh", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "laugh" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
How these synonyms differ
- cackle - 'Cackle' is loud, sharp, and unrestrained, it can sound gleeful or wicked, and it's rarely described as pleasant.
- chuckle - 'Chuckle' is quieter and more private, a soft, contained laugh, often at something mildly amusing rather than hilarious.
- giggle - 'Giggle' is light, high-pitched, and often involuntary, associated with nervousness, children, or something silly rather than genuinely witty.
- snicker - 'Snicker' has a mean edge, it's laughing at someone rather than with them, often partially suppressed and tinged with mockery.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
19 entriesamusementemotional expressionexpress emotionexpress feelingsexpressionfacial expressionfacial gesturehumorhumourlaughtermockeryridiculesocial behaviorsoundutterancevocalization
Showing 16 of 19 words.
More specific
8 entriesCollocations
9 entriesbig laughbrief laughgenuine laughgood laughhearty laughlaugh tracklaughing gasloud laughsoft laugh
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesAntonyms
1 entriesSample sentences
33 total sentences available.
Laugh as much as you like; I'll stick to my plan to the bitter end.
Source: tatoeba (18061)
A teacher should never laugh at his students' mistakes.
Source: tatoeba (19056)
I quickly laugh at everything, for fear of having to cry.
Source: tatoeba (19563)
Showing 4 of 33 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "laugh"?
Closest matches include gag, joke, laughter, be in heaven, be in stitches.
How is "cackle" different from "laugh"?
'Cackle' is loud, sharp, and unrestrained, it can sound gleeful or wicked, and it's rarely described as pleasant.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "laugh"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.