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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chortle
Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 May 2025
On the 101 in my bumper-car Prius, there’s one billboard that invariably gets a chortle out of me.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
There were no knowing winks to the camera, no pause for an unseen audience to chortle at Stan's misfortune.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chortle
Noun
Yoda made a slight sound of dissatisfaction, a grumbling chortle.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 May 2025
On the 101 in my bumper-car Prius, there’s one billboard that invariably gets a chortle out of me.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
Against all of this allegedly heady stuff, the score—by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross—intentionally jars us from encroaching drowsiness with chortling woodwinds and shardlike piano chords that are the aural equivalent of jagged Plexiglass off-cuts.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
There were no knowing winks to the camera, no pause for an unseen audience to chortle at Stan's misfortune.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chortle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chortle
Noun
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In a video from Reuters, Charles appeared to laugh off Stewart's comment and said something unintelligible before turning to shake hands with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who also got a chuckle out of the exchange.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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The two admit now – Adrianne with a chuckle and DeVaux through tears – that their sisterly relationship suffered for a while, as DeVaux tried to square peg her sister.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The two have grown close as a regular double-play duo, constantly joking and laughing together in the clubhouse and on the field.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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Jackson laughs with Kirkwood over the chance meeting, calls in the other referees for a group picture.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
16 May 2026
Noun
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And as for the showstopping pelican, the frog erupts out of its beak right on cue, a moment that indeed inspires a round of laughter and childlike awe.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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As Margo’s laughter turns into anxious tears, Shyanne tenderly cradles her in her lap, staying fully present for her daughter in her moment of need.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
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There’s a particularly tragic scene where Natalia, lured on holiday by Elsa, spots a small child innocently giggling at the table across from her at dinner.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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Depending on what your child does, a Fingerling might blink, giggle, shake its head, snort or even burp.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Early never makes fun of Maddie, never lets the audience snicker at the screen.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
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The dialogue is overladen with snicker-worthy cliches, a swelling, melodramatic soundtrack that doesn’t match the mood, dubious cameos and plastic, perfunctory life-affirming quotes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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