as in chuckles
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 laughs
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
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Recent Examples of chortles
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
Shadow was there for almost an hour before hearing Jackie’s chortles.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chortles
Noun
-
His children's reflections were poetic in the style of the late civil rights icon — filled with prayer, tears and a few chuckles, including about disagreements that occur when growing up in a large, lively family.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
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His children’s reflections were poetic in the style of the late civil rights icon — filled with prayer, tears and a few chuckles, including about disagreements that occur when growing up in a large, lively family.—
Sophia Tareen,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Henry takes in Link, who at this point is a teenager and laughs him off.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Now a senior, Kleemann just laughs at the idea.—
Sam Brief,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The girls danced and sang to Taylor Swift blaring through speakers, their ponytails tied up with red sparkly ribbons and their small hands waving shiny pom-poms as their giggles filled the football field.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
-
My daughters just flew their kites from last year around our yard yesterday on a blustery March day, and the giggles were a sound and sight to treasure.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chortles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortles. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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