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
Examples 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
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024
In one careful hour that guy pulled the rug out from everything the Eve hypothesis people ever said, chortles Wolpoff.
—Joann C Gutin, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
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
Washington, who was dressed in a gray suit and had been looking on intently, chortled.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024
In one careful hour that guy pulled the rug out from everything the Eve hypothesis people ever said, chortles Wolpoff.
—Joann C Gutin, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for chortle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chortle
Verb
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During the inauguration, Infantino was filmed laughing animatedly as Trump stated that the Gulf of Mexico would be renamed the Gulf of America.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Both appeared to be in great spirits for the outing, with photographers snapping the pair laughing, smiling and holding holds.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Embracing them, accepting them with a little enthusiasm, and a good bit of laughter will spread the message to others and importantly to yourself that aging is fun and joyful and beautiful.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2025
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Keke herself was in a fit of maniacal laughter as SZA opted out of answering and ate another wing.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Then, our youngest daughter gets a cozy little seat in between her brothers, and the oldest two girls giggle their way into the way back with their other brother.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
3 Jan. 2025
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As Cohen began to tease him, Cooper started to giggle as Cohen playfully poked him.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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There are private snickers about the offense’s lack of imagination, the team’s absence of leadership and the dearth of talent.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
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When asked about his expectations for the Trump presidency, Padilla chuckled.—
Emily Chang,
ABC News,
19 Jan. 2025
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Obama also exchanged pleasantries with the incoming president, with the former Democratic leader chuckling at times.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
9 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to chortle
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Cite this Entry
“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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