chortle 1 of 2

chortle

2 of 2

verb

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
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
  • Bean could be heard laughing at him from inside the classroom, the affidavits state.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2025
  • In another photo, he could be seen standing up fully and laughing while holding a golf club in his hand.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Christopher Landon is a master at making audiences vacillate between gut-wrenching terror and gut-busting laughter.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The couple squealed and giggled in the fitting room.
    Sadiba Hasan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • However, as Elvis giggled in his mother’s arms, another, far less hopeful, moment was unfolding.
    Mario Jimenez, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 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
  • 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
  • White chuckled when asked if this stretch is the most unstoppable he’s ever felt.
    Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on chortle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!