cackle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of cacklenext
1
as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement erupted in a high-pitched cackle at the absurdity of the suggestion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chatter
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this the constant cackle of his seat companion made the long flight seem even longer

Synonyms & Similar Words

cackle

2 of 2

verb

ˈka-kəl How to pronounce cackle (audio)
1
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation a group of old friends who met regularly to laugh and cackle about their glory days

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound she cackled with glee when her tax-evading neighbor finally got caught

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cackle
Noun
When Pirog played a flashy line, which was often, Vile let out a cackle, an impish, cowpoke whoopee ti-yi-yo. — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Of course, the commercial ends in climactic fashion, as He-Man lifts Skeletor above his head for the grand finale and the sorcerer erupts into his legendary cackle. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 June 2026
Verb
SpongeBob cackles on a television lodged behind shatterproof glass. — Ashley Andreou, STAT, 22 June 2026 Without hesitation, the Thunder players merged, all cackling simultaneously. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cackle
  1. chuckle
  2. chatter
  3. chat
  4. laugh
  5. laughter
  6. talk
  7. converse
  8. giggle
Noun
  • David’s Davidness—always eating a bowl of cereal before bed, hoarding Wagon Wheels, calling his artificial sweeteners ‘depth charges,’ laughing with a half-private chuckle at his own bad jokes—comes off the page in sparks.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Toward the end of the panel, Buttimer noted that Connaughton would have wanted to argue with each speaker, drawing chuckles from the audience.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of chuckle
Noun
  • After the first 10 handshakes, the chatter softens to a murmur.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
  • White space opportunities like clinical skin care, clean makeup and designer fragrances are often cited by industry analysts as potential areas of growth, and there is considerable chatter about the company’s M&A strategy.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of chatter
Verb
  • Times columnists Gustavo Arellano, Steve Lopez and Lorraine Ali are chatting about Tuesday night’s Los Angeles mayoral debate between Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The details of the allegations, which disclosed how fraternity members used a Snapchat group chat to discuss the woman and events at the party with openly crude language, sparked fury across the nation.
    — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of chat
Verb
  • Dobbins is no longer the fun story, the bilingual back who makes people smile and teammates laugh.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Over a refreshing crudo and endive salad, Vera Wang laughed with Lance LePere.
    — Gaby Keiderling, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Bridey’s first response to life, even to its darknesses, is laughter.
    — Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Yet how could anyone object to spending 65 minutes with a zany Broadway star who has learned to turn her shame into shared laughter?
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of laughter
Noun
  • Banijay founder and chairman Stephane Courbit later met with Zucker in New York, though full merger talks didn’t begin until the following year, once RedBird IMI had ended talks with ITV over ITV Studios.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Colombia’s government has canceled peace talks with the nation’s remaining rebel groups, as de la Espriella takes a hard line on crime.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of talk
Verb
  • Mexican security forces, both military and police, were also observed conversing with Border Patrol agents over the international boundary.
    — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2026
  • This was already noticed long before the emergence of AI chatbots with the power to converse.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of converse
Verb
  • Less scrolling on the toilet in fear, more giggling with compatriots in joy.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The two giggled momentarily before Quiñonez turned back and answered candidly.
    — Jake McCreven, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of giggle

Browse Nearby Words

cack-handed
cackle
cackled
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Cite this Entry

“Cackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cackle. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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