可以理解为后面有省略,这是和前句提到的laughter produced by tickling相比较而言的,相当于...were nowhere near as easy to tell apart (as laughter produced by tickling). tell apart等同于identify. nowhere near 表示否定。
附上原句的上下文:
All other forms of laughter, whether they came from viewing stand-up comedy or watching someone pour salt into their tea instead of sugar, were nowhere near as easy to tell apart. This suggested there was something unique about the post-tickling laugh.这句话的as easy是不是后面有省略,还是在这里做副词?