“Laugh” does the job — but the right alternative does more. Here are 6 curated replacements, each with a definition, pronunciation, and an example of it working on the page.
To laugh in a breathy, gleeful way, often while making snorting sounds.
“She chortled so hard at his impression that coffee shot out of her nose.”
Best for: Works well in casual, humorous writing or dialogue to convey infectious delight.
To burst into a loud, boisterous laugh, usually unrestrained and sudden.
“The entire boardroom erupted in guffaws when the CEO's slide read 'pubic relations.'”
Best for: Best for depicting loud, uncontrolled laughter in comedic or satirical scenes.
To give a short, nervous, or suppressed laugh, often at something awkward or improper.
“The students tittered behind their textbooks as the substitute mispronounced every name.”
Best for: Ideal for social situations involving embarrassment, repressed amusement, or nervous energy.
To laugh loudly and immoderately, often to an excessive or unseemly degree.
“He cachinnated at his own jokes long after everyone else had gone silent.”
Best for: Rare and formal; suits literary prose or writing that wants a slightly clinical, detached tone.
To shake uncontrollably with laughter, as if seized by a physical spasm of amusement.
“She convulsed with laughter, gripping the table until her knuckles whitened.”
Best for: Powerful in literary fiction to show laughter that overwhelms the body entirely.
An archaic term meaning to laugh or express mirth, rooted in Latin 'risus' meaning laughter.
“The old fool would risiate at misfortune, finding comedy where others found only grief.”
Best for: Extremely rare; reserved for archaic pastiche, historical fiction, or deliberately ornate prose.
Wordsmith finds six curated alternatives for any word — free to try.
Try Wordsmith Free