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
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
-
The pair seemed to remain friends as they were spotted chatting at Justin Bieber's birthday party in 2022.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Catch him chatting with patrons and performing original music at the bar well into the night.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her mother, Lianna Charles Moore, previously described her daughters as always laughing, smiling and brightening her family's day.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Suddenly there was a film that had not been on anyone’s radar — a period comedy, laughing at something very much our own, and completely independent.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Is there an art to talking to famous people who are famously stoic about their personal life and famously put up boundaries everywhere?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
-
There’s Larry Gagosian talking with Richard Serra with Tony Shafrazi in front of them.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
A couple giggling teens popped on and off that scale recently, pleased, apparently, by the reading.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
On the two days that THR spent on set last summer, the young cast could regularly be heard giggling in between takes.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fashionable guests of all ages mingle and mix in common areas, conversing about everything from stocks to cocktails.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
-
After all, though the two are conversing on her birthday, the audience learns that Robert died a week prior.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To be fair, Dylan is also engaging in some territorial behaviors, like chuckling about Greg’s affinity for nuts and lightly putting a hand on his arm, so keep an eye on that space.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
Brown voiced his frustrations with the Eagles’ passing offense during the regular season, then engaged in a screaming match with Sirianni during Philadelphia’s first-round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Dashcam footage recently released by Staffordshire Police shows the teenagers screaming and asking Dawson, 50, to slow the car down.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cackling. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
