as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement
the joke provoked a sudden chortle from a bystander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Carrington laughed with teammate Marina Mabrey after the incident.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
-
Carney almost laughed at the notion that young audiences, especially internationally, particularly care about the market size of the NBA Finalists.—
Howard Homonoff,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Nikolas was a cherished husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and nephew whose warmth, laughter, and love touched the lives of all who knew him.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
2 June 2025
-
The 78-year-old rock star asked fans for their best caption for the bit that may leave audience members dying with laughter Iggy is currently touring in Europe, North America and South America Iggy Pop knows how to make an exit.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
The fountain remains downtown Aspen’s most popular interactive art piece (especially among giggling, splashing children).—
Shauna Farnell,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
-
While Carrie might giggle, Miranda cannot bring herself to blow off this nun.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
League sources stifle their snickers in public while privately marveling at the owner’s ceaseless stupidity. 3.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
And the plot is just awful, crammed with so many cliches that you’re barely done chuckling at one before another kicks you in the head.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2025
-
There’s a touch of whimsy to this cottage-style residence in Reisterstown, as though the builder chuckled all through its construction on a quiet cul-de-sac near Liberty Reservoir.—
Mike Klingaman,
Baltimore Sun,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share