chortle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of chortlenext
as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement the joke provoked a sudden chortle from a bystander

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chortle

2 of 2

verb

ˈchȯr-tᵊl How to pronounce chortle (audio)
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

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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
  1. laugh
  2. laughter
  3. giggle
  4. snicker
  5. chuckle
Verb
  • Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer famously laughing it off as wildly expensive at $500.
    — Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • My thought was interrupted when Bayes instructed us to laugh very hard.
    — Priscilla Posada, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Joking was her version of uncontrollable tears, but Dr. Fenton neither laughed nor pressed to see what was behind Lilian’s inane laughter.
    — Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The inventive plot twists and frequent ad-libs led to filming often being interrupted by laughter.
    — Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of giggle
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
Definition of snicker
Verb
  • No one would’ve chuckled if a glance at Waze or a little assistance from Google Maps was a necessity Saturday night.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Dixon relentlessly focuses on rebounding, and Baugh chuckled when asked how the coach helped that part of his game.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of chuckle

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Cite this Entry

“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of chortle for Spanish Speakers

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