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
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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
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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
-
Aniston opened up about the relationship while chatting to Elle back in November.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
-
So far, he’s been spotted draped in a full-length, white fluffy coat and fire engine-red hat and gloves, watching the women’s downhill race, and casually chatting with onlookers at the curling mixed doubles, adorned in a zip-jacket emblazoned with Team USA players’ faces.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But lately, there’s been less laughing and playing there.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Tell Me Lies ends with Lucy, realizing that she has been betrayed once again, laughing in disbelief.—
Olivia Truffaut-Wong,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kato is talking with local schools about turning Mardi Gras bead-making into a community project.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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As kids get older, this transparency can cross over into talking honestly about social situations, financial decisions, or household values and responsibilities.—
Dina Gachman,
Parents,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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All manner of inquiries might be required to tease out of the person what transpired while conversing with the AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the front of the bus, Kilgo first started chuckling softly.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
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When that happens, press play on these funny Hanukkah songs that will have the whole family chuckling.—
Fiona Tapp,
Parents,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Despite the teeth-chattering weather, a crush formed outside (SUB)MERCER, a discreet club tucked beneath The Mercer Hotel in SoHo, with everyone vying for a nod from the bouncer or publicist Sasha Sheehan.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
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Her sisters sat chattering about the heat, the traffic, and the rain.—
Allegra Goodman,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Over the past few years, LaBeouf has managed to keep his screaming to a minimal and (mostly) onscreen habit.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Running, screaming, and after sliding on my knees.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cackling. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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