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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By singing, dancing, and laughing as our unapologetic trans selves.—
James Factora,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
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In the first photo, Hudson and Belichick, dressed to the nines, are smiling and laughing while holding cocktails at the Tar Heel coach's party.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There is non-stop laughter from audiences from beginning to end.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2025
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But his administration’s steps, large and small, from attacking universities to immigrants to expert advisors, aimed at destroying competence and honesty as guiding principles for the U.S., will in the end yield only tears, not laughter.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, a giggling Mathews threw out a hand to further stop the desk’s movement and Bertinelli collapsed onto the ground in laughter.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The kids wail and giggle and leave their toys everywhere, and Hilaria takes a deep breath while struggling to load them all into the car.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 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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Luzardo chuckled when asked about the pitch design sessions.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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With the peak of the shower coming during the first few hours of Earth Day, Krupp chuckled at the alignment of the galaxy’s display and our observance of the holiday.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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