1
as in chatting
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
Relevance
2
as in laughing
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
she cackled with glee when her tax-evading neighbor finally got caught
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 cackling
Here is a mom falling over cackling at the comma-rich DM her extremely funny daughter, Mandy Brooke, sent to Lil Wayne.
—
Julie Klausner, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
And Winston left fans cackling with his version, which poked fun at his infamous crab leg theft from his time at Florida State University in 2014.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
On a Tuesday afternoon in early November, the Zoom background of Tom Kenny, the voice of the cackling cartoon sea sponge with square pants, is a snapshot from the long-running kids series.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
As the backstory evolved, Calico townswoman Sarah Marshall transformed into the Green Witch on the gallows, turned her accusing neighbors into monsters with a wicked curse and vanished in a puff of smoke with a cackling laugh.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
Hundreds of shops at CST Road are crammed along half a mile of bumpy road with cackling traffic.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Then, Kelce was asked about all the Chiefs fandom that was seen in the São Paulo streets, and his response had everyone in the room cackling.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Wisecracking, cackling mini-maniac Teddy was the daredevil of the group.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Yes, the horror begins with a crying blonde girl being given a spoon and pushed to her knees to eat feces in front of a cackling audience.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
Julie Klausner, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
And Winston left fans cackling with his version, which poked fun at his infamous crab leg theft from his time at Florida State University in 2014.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
On a Tuesday afternoon in early November, the Zoom background of Tom Kenny, the voice of the cackling cartoon sea sponge with square pants, is a snapshot from the long-running kids series.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
As the backstory evolved, Calico townswoman Sarah Marshall transformed into the Green Witch on the gallows, turned her accusing neighbors into monsters with a wicked curse and vanished in a puff of smoke with a cackling laugh.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
Hundreds of shops at CST Road are crammed along half a mile of bumpy road with cackling traffic.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Then, Kelce was asked about all the Chiefs fandom that was seen in the São Paulo streets, and his response had everyone in the room cackling.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Wisecracking, cackling mini-maniac Teddy was the daredevil of the group.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Yes, the horror begins with a crying blonde girl being given a spoon and pushed to her knees to eat feces in front of a cackling audience.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cackling
Verb
-
Soon Emanuel was talking to Brian Grazer, and Bill Maher proved to be one of the more gregarious guests, chatting with a few excited art collectors.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Jeannot and Deslauriers were seen chatting at the red line during pre-game warmups.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The White Lotus’s Leslie Bibb, whose red-carpet look from Ashi Studio also earned high marks, spent part of the evening laughing with fellow Ryan Murphy acolyte Sarah Paulson.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone was then heard laughing.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate GOP is not united on forcing Democrats to commit to a talking filibuster to pass the voter ID bill.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Verini sits in on Friedmann’s trial, and explores his possible motives, talking to his friends and family members.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unexpected seatmates Momsen and Goldberg often nodded together in agreement as power suits and statement furs came down the runway, giggling at times due to Jones' commentary.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Think of things that bring you back to the days of making handmade Valentines for your secret crush and giggling with your friends after eating way too much Fun Dip.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
House Bill 1200 would require a person to pass a skills exam in English to drive a commercial vehicle and demonstrate proficiency in the language, including while conversing with the general public.—
Kaitlin Lange,
IndyStar,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Reading a book — yes, a real book with pages, gotten from a library or a store, not a Kindle; conversing, face-to-face, with a friend; taking a walk in a park or in the country?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In early February, Raphael Bostic sat on a stage chuckling, and a bit embarrassed, while his predecessor handed him a pair of gifts.—
Mirtha Donastorg,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In the front of the bus, Kilgo first started chuckling softly.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hardcore Survivor fans love to discuss and debate the intricacies of the game and their favorite seasons and winners in the same way that sports fans enjoy chattering nonstop about their teams.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
-
This is the shelter’s busiest season, making for the film’s most vibrant, chattering section, and Hélène adapts well to the rhythm and volume of whatever company rolls in, while occasionally retreating to the woods for some respite.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Something changed, though, because the next morning, Van Lent and Eikenberg entered into a screaming match in Naja’s office for everyone to see.—
Michael Adno,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
-
In a post on Monday, the rescue said Denali has been screaming in pain and doesn't want to eat or get up.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cackling. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
