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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Bean could be heard laughing at him from inside the classroom, the affidavits state.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
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Lee laughed about how his scene partner, Jennifer, played along, adding to the humor of the moment.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But to last 1,000 shows is a true testament to what the world really needs right now, which is love, laughter and light.—
Lawrence Yee,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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Death Takes Me, instead, suggests that personal grief and political anger can find expression, too, through ambiguity and irony—and even laughter.—
Nicolás Medina Mora,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Mark Consuelos giggles at using the word 'haboobs' on Live With Kelly and Mark: 'Way funnier in my head' Ripa later reflected on the demeanor of other women her husband has dated, after admitting that she's actually known some of them.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
6 Mar. 2025
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Kardashian then reunited with her pal Lauren Sánchez, and the two giggled over their matching bridal-esque white gowns, showering each other with compliments.—
Paul Chi,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 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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The writers chuckle, thrilled and a little alarmed.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
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The room chuckled at Powell’s remarks, and the market Wednesday didn’t seem to mind the transitory talk.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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