as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
the joke provoked a sudden chortle from a bystander
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
audiences might chortle gently during the movie's amusing bits, but there are few knee-slappers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chortle
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2011
When the book said that someone laughed, Miles offered the engineer a giggle, a chortle, and a cackle; when a character steepled their fingers, Miles did, too.
—Daniel A. Gross, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2022
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 May 2024
Her son had often suggested that the Investigative Committee investigate itself and chortled at the absurdity.
—Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for chortle
Noun
The comment evoked a chortle from Prasher, whose typical manner combines irony and earthiness.
—Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2011
When the book said that someone laughed, Miles offered the engineer a giggle, a chortle, and a cackle; when a character steepled their fingers, Miles did, too.
—Daniel A. Gross, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2022
Verb
So skeptics may chortle at do-gooder liberals’ NIMBY uproar as being hoisted on their own petards, so to speak.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 May 2024
Her son had often suggested that the Investigative Committee investigate itself and chortled at the absurdity.
—Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for chortle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chortle
Verb
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By singing, dancing, and laughing as our unapologetic trans selves.—
James Factora,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
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Her sporadic movements left McNay's children cracking up, with one falling to her knees from laughing so hard.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Spouses, children, and fellow artists met all four men at the end of the stage with a mix of laughter and tears, along with an endless line of hugs.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
11 Apr. 2025
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The throwback clip was full of classic sibling squabbling and laughter as the pair prepared carrot cake.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The couple squealed and giggled in the fitting room.—
Sadiba Hasan,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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However, as Elvis giggled in his mother’s arms, another, far less hopeful, moment was unfolding.—
Mario Jimenez,
Scientific American,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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League sources stifle their snickers in public while privately marveling at the owner’s ceaseless stupidity. 3.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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So he must be placed in the Apparition section, next to ghosts like John Barron, sharing a snicker with Ivana.—
Greg Marotta,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Craig Erwich, who’s in the unique position of programming both a broadcast network and a streamer — and who grew up in the broadcast biz — is quick to chuckle at the notion.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
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White chuckled when asked if this stretch is the most unstoppable he’s ever felt.—
Darnell Mayberry,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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