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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Mothers run after their children; one of them is developmentally disabled, but in a rural Chinese village circa 1991 he is treated as a laughing stock.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2025
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Here's another picture of Meester admiring a beaming Brody at the premiere of FX's Fleishman Is in Trouble. 07 of 10 XOXO, Leighton and Adam A couple that laughs together stays together!—
Brendan Le,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Because of that, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy feels like meeting with old friends: warm, cozy, and filled with hysterical laughter.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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Ford decided to mouth his last name at the end, a decision that caused observers to break out in laughter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hannah Berner is unstoppable and giggling through life, hosting several podcasts, touring the U.S. with her comedy show, and appearing on TV shows like The Bachelor.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
12 Feb. 2025
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Children walked from school to their homes, coming out moments later giggling and ready to play in the streets.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 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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Or a former neighbor walks with his friend up and down the corridor while chatting and chuckling.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
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One of the Fox Sports broadcast announcers chuckled.—
Thomas Lake,
CNN,
13 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to chortle
Thesaurus Entries Near chortle
Cite this Entry
“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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