Similes are a powerful tool in figurative language. They compare one thing to another using words like “as” or “like” to create vivid mental images. Instead of simply saying someone laughed, similes help readers see, hear, and feel that laughter. This is why similes are so commonly used in creative writing, storytelling, poetry, everyday speech, and even casual texting.
When it comes to laughter, similes are especially effective. Laughing can be joyful, sarcastic, awkward, cruel, uncontrollable, or contagious. Using the right simile allows you to capture the exact emotion and tone behind the laugh. Below are 25 detailed similes for laughing, each explained with meaning, tone, usage context, and plenty of natural examples. You’ll also find short practical sections to help you use them in daily life and writing.
Laughing like a hyena
Meaning: This simile describes loud, wild, and often uncontrollable laughter. Hyenas are known for their high-pitched, cackling sounds, which closely resemble intense human laughter.
Tone: Playful, exaggerated, sometimes slightly mocking.
Best usage context: Use this simile when someone laughs loudly without restraint, especially in humorous or chaotic situations.
Example sentences:
- He started laughing like a hyena after hearing the ridiculous joke.
- The entire room echoed when she laughed like a hyena at her own mistake.
- They laughed like hyenas during the comedy show, unable to calm down.
Daily-use sentences:
- “Stop laughing like a hyena, people are staring.”
- “That meme made me laugh like a hyena at midnight.”
Laughing like a child on a swing
Meaning: This simile represents pure, innocent, and carefree laughter.
Tone: Warm, joyful, nostalgic.
Best usage context: Perfect for describing genuine happiness, especially moments filled with simplicity and emotional warmth.
Example sentences:
- She laughed like a child on a swing, free from every worry.
- His laughter sounded like a child on a swing, light and unburdened.
- They laughed like children on swings as the rain poured down.
Texting examples:
- “Hanging with you makes me laugh like a child on a swing 😊”
- “That moment was pure joy, laughing like kids again.”
Laughing like thunder
Meaning: This simile shows extremely loud, booming laughter that dominates the space.
Tone: Bold, dramatic, powerful.
Best usage context: Used when laughter is overwhelming, commanding attention, or larger than life.
Example sentences:
- His laugh rolled through the hall like thunder.
- She laughed like thunder, startling everyone nearby.
- The king laughed like thunder at the clever remark.
Practical usage tip: Great for strong characters, leaders, or moments meant to feel grand and intense.
Laughing like a bubbling brook
Meaning: This simile conveys soft, continuous, and pleasant laughter.
Tone: Gentle, soothing, poetic.
Best usage context: Ideal for romantic scenes, peaceful moments, or kind personalities.
Example sentences:
- Her laughter flowed like a bubbling brook in the quiet room.
- He smiled as her laugh danced like a bubbling brook.
- The baby laughed like a bubbling brook, calm and sweet.
Daily-use sentence:
- “Your laugh is like a bubbling brook—it’s so calming.”
Laughing like there’s no tomorrow
Meaning: This simile suggests intense, unstoppable laughter, as if the moment is all that matters.
Tone: Energetic, carefree, slightly dramatic.
Best usage context: Used in moments of wild fun, celebration, or emotional release.
Example sentences:
- They laughed like there was no tomorrow at the reunion.
- She laughed like there’s no tomorrow, tears streaming down her face.
- We laughed like there was no tomorrow, forgetting all our problems.
Laughing like a broken engine
Meaning: This simile describes awkward, uneven, or forced laughter.
Tone: Humorous, uncomfortable, ironic.
Best usage context: Perfect for sarcasm, social discomfort, or fake politeness.
Example sentences:
- He laughed like a broken engine, trying to fit in.
- Her laugh sputtered like a broken engine during the meeting.
- The silence returned after his broken-engine laugh.
Texting example:
- “I gave an awkward laugh… full broken engine mode 😅”
Laughing like fireworks
Meaning: This simile represents sudden, explosive bursts of laughter.
Tone: Exciting, joyful, vibrant.
Best usage context: Best for parties, celebrations, or unexpected humor.
Example sentences:
- Her laughter burst like fireworks across the room.
- They laughed like fireworks after the surprise reveal.
- His laugh popped like fireworks in the silence.
Laughing like a villain in a movie
Meaning: This simile conveys a dark, mocking, or sinister laugh.
Tone: Menacing, sarcastic, dramatic.
Best usage context: Useful in storytelling, fiction, or describing cruel humor.
Example sentences:
- He laughed like a villain in a movie after winning.
- She laughed like a villain, enjoying their discomfort.
- The echo of his villainous laugh sent chills down their spines.
Laughing like a tickled puppy
Meaning: This simile expresses playful, uncontrollable, and adorable laughter.
Tone: Cute, lighthearted, affectionate.
Best usage context: Great for children, pets, or joyful, silly moments.
Example sentences:
- She laughed like a tickled puppy during the game.
- He laughed like a tickled puppy when surprised.
- The room filled with puppy-like laughter.
Laughing like a cracked bell
Meaning: This simile suggests harsh, sharp, or unpleasant laughter.
Tone: Negative, critical, vivid.
Best usage context: Used when laughter feels forced, annoying, or unsettling.
Example sentences:
- His laugh rang like a cracked bell in the hallway.
- She laughed like a cracked bell, making everyone wince.
- The sound of that laughter ruined the mood.
Laughing like a crowd at a comedy show
Meaning: This simile shows collective, contagious laughter.
Tone: Joyful, social, energetic.
Best usage context: Perfect for groups, gatherings, or shared humor.
Example sentences:
- The office laughed like a crowd at a comedy show.
- They laughed together like an audience at stand-up night.
- The joke hit them all at once.
Laughing like waves crashing on shore
Meaning: This simile represents rhythmic, repeating laughter that rises and falls.
Tone: Flowing, natural, expressive.
Best usage context: Ideal for emotional scenes or long conversations filled with humor.
Example sentences:
- Her laughter came in waves crashing on shore.
- He laughed like ocean waves, again and again.
- The sound faded and returned like tides.
Laughing like a shaken soda can
Meaning: This simile shows laughter that suddenly bursts after being held back.
Tone: Playful, explosive.
Best usage context: Great for suppressed emotions or sudden humor.
Example sentences:
- He laughed like a shaken soda can finally opened.
- She tried to stay serious, then burst out laughing.
- The room erupted with bottled-up laughter.
Laughing like a radio stuck on repeat
Meaning: This simile suggests repetitive, irritating laughter.
Tone: Annoyed, humorous.
Best usage context: Used when laughter becomes excessive or awkward.
Example sentences:
- He kept laughing like a radio stuck on repeat.
- Her repeated giggle annoyed everyone.
- The laugh just wouldn’t stop.
Laughing like a burst balloon
Meaning: This simile represents sudden laughter followed by silence.
Tone: Sharp, brief, surprising.
Best usage context: Good for unexpected humor or quick emotional shifts.
Example sentences:
- His laughter popped like a burst balloon.
- She laughed once, then went quiet.
- The moment ended as fast as it began.
Laughing like a campfire crackling
Meaning: This simile conveys warm, friendly, and rhythmic laughter.
Tone: Cozy, welcoming.
Best usage context: Perfect for family gatherings or friendly conversations.
Example sentences:
- Their laughter crackled like a campfire.
- The night felt warmer with that laughter.
- Friends laughed together under the stars.
Laughing like a monkey in a tree
Meaning: This simile describes playful, mischievous laughter.
Tone: Silly, energetic.
Best usage context: Great for kids, pranks, or fun chaos.
Example sentences:
- The kids laughed like monkeys in a tree.
- He laughed mischievously after the prank.
- Their laughter echoed through the park.
Laughing like a burst of sunshine
Meaning: This simile shows laughter that brightens the mood instantly.
Tone: Positive, uplifting.
Best usage context: Use for optimistic characters or emotional warmth.
Example sentences:
- Her laugh was like a burst of sunshine.
- The room felt brighter when he laughed.
- That laughter changed everything.
Laughing like glass shattering
Meaning: This simile indicates sharp, piercing laughter.
Tone: Intense, uncomfortable.
Best usage context: Used in dramatic or negative scenes.
Example sentences:
- Her laugh shattered the silence like glass.
- Everyone flinched at the sound.
- It cut through the air.
Laughing like a runaway train
Meaning: This simile represents unstoppable, escalating laughter.
Tone: Exaggerated, humorous.
Best usage context: Best for moments of uncontrollable fun.
Example sentences:
- Once he started, his laughter became a runaway train.
- She couldn’t stop laughing no matter what.
- The joke spiraled out of control.
Laughing like a whispering breeze
Meaning: This simile shows soft, quiet laughter.
Tone: Gentle, intimate.
Best usage context: Romantic or secretive moments.
Example sentences:
- She laughed like a whispering breeze.
- His quiet laugh filled the silence softly.
- The moment felt intimate.
Laughing like a drumroll
Meaning: This simile conveys rhythmic, building laughter.
Tone: Playful, anticipatory.
Best usage context: Used when laughter grows gradually.
Example sentences:
- His laughter rolled like a drumroll.
- The group slowly joined in.
- It built until everyone laughed.
Laughing like a cartoon character
Meaning: This simile suggests exaggerated, animated laughter.
Tone: Fun, exaggerated.
Best usage context: Great for humor, kids’ stories, or exaggeration.
Example sentences:
- He laughed like a cartoon character.
- The sound was over-the-top and funny.
- Everyone smiled.
Laughing like a secret finally revealed
Meaning: This simile reflects relieved, emotional laughter.
Tone: Emotional, freeing.
Best usage context: Used after tension or stress breaks.
Example sentences:
- She laughed like a secret finally revealed.
- The tension melted away.
- It felt freeing.
Laughing like bells in the wind
Meaning: This simile shows light, musical laughter.
Tone: Joyful, poetic.
Best usage context: Romantic or descriptive writing.
Example sentences:
- Her laugh rang like bells in the wind.
- The sound was pure and bright.
- Everyone felt lighter.
Laughing like a door creaking open
Meaning: This simile represents hesitant or awkward laughter.
Tone: Uncertain, subtle.
Best usage context: Used when laughter is unsure or forced.
Example sentences:
- He laughed like a door creaking open.
- The sound felt uncertain.
- Nobody joined in.
Laughing like joy spilling over
Meaning: This simile describes laughter that can no longer be contained.
Tone: Emotional, heartfelt.
Best usage context: Ideal for emotional highs or reunions.
Example sentences:
- She laughed like joy spilling over.
- Tears followed the laughter.
- It was pure emotion.
Conclusion
Similes for laughing transform ordinary writing into vivid, emotional, and memorable expression. They allow you to show not just that someone laughed, but how, why, and what it felt like. Whether you’re writing fiction, poetry, captions, dialogue, or casual messages, the right simile adds personality and depth. By experimenting with different tones—from playful to dark, gentle to explosive—you can make your language more expressive and engaging. Mastering similes is a small skill that creates a powerful impact in creative writing.
FAQs
What are similes for laughing used for?
Similes for laughing are used to describe the sound, emotion, or intensity of laughter in a vivid and creative way, making writing more expressive and engaging.
Are similes better than adjectives for describing laughter?
Similes are often more effective than simple adjectives because they create imagery and emotional depth instead of just stating a quality.
Can similes for laughing be used in daily conversation?
Yes, many similes work well in everyday speech, texting, and social media, especially playful or lighthearted ones.
How do I choose the right simile for laughing?
Choose based on tone and context. Happy moments suit soft or bright similes, while awkward or dark moments need sharper or ironic ones.
Are similes for laughing good for SEO writing?
Yes, they enhance readability, user engagement, and dwell time, which helps SEO when used naturally.
Can I use these similes in academic writing?
Similes are best suited for creative, narrative, or descriptive writing rather than formal academic texts.
How can I practice using similes effectively?
Read creative writing, observe real-life expressions, and rewrite simple sentences by adding similes to build skill naturally.