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
Earlier, Mitchell’s Avdotya has attacked him with a pillow, railing and cackling.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
There is more cackling when Jesus tries to explain Arteta’s latest motivational technique.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
There is more cackling when Jesus tries to explain Arteta’s latest motivational technique.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cackling
Verb
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Inside the bus, students — ever the teenage archetype — were napping, chatting and stretching.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
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Friends Josh Horowitz and Stanley Tucci grab a picture at the 92NY in New York City after chatting about The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Tucci in Italy on May 5.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Members of both chambers seemed to enjoy his 20-minute address, listening intently and laughing at the monarch’s jokes and giving him standing ovations.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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Lucy Liu is spotted laughing on the set of Superfakes in Madison Square Park in New York City on April 27.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pharoah, best known for being a cast member of Saturday Night Live between 2010-2016, had been talking to Fox for a while about hosting a show.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
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Barack Obama liked talking to The New Yorker’s David Remnick.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
4 May 2026
Verb
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On the chaise side of the sectional, Fiona and Izzy were giggling under a blanket, playing a makeover game on Fiona’s phone.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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McLarty and Walker shift from depressive introspection to giggling reminiscences.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Verb
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On April 30, the TikTok star, 25, and the Houston Texans wide receiver, 30, were spotted conversing at the Sports Illustrated x Authentic Brands Group party at The Surf Club Restaurant in Miami.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
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Here, a space for dining, a space for grilling, and a space for conversing around the fire all create a multifaceted entertaining area.—
Marisa Donnelly,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Baffert watched it all on his laptop from California, chuckling as the board showing the horse’s price flaked out momentarily.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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Flying cows, fiddle-playing cats, and chuckling retrievers inhabit the space between ornate columns.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Richter’s grand slam Tuesday against Tinley Park ended with plenty of screaming and high-fives at home plate.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Any passengers not knocked out during the chaos or sucked out into the sky are generally screaming and grabbing for oxygen masks while Captain Rich makes a futile announcement about the importance of not panicking.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cackling. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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