chortle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of chortlenext
as in chuckle
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement the joke provoked a sudden chortle from a bystander

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chortle

2 of 2

verb

ˈchȯr-tᵊl How to pronounce chortle (audio)
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound audiences might chortle gently during the movie's amusing bits, but there are few knee-slappers

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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 chortle
Noun
Yoda made a slight sound of dissatisfaction, a grumbling chortle. — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 May 2025 On the 101 in my bumper-car Prius, there’s one billboard that invariably gets a chortle out of me. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
Some will laugh at the suggestion and scroll through their social media apps to find a clip to point at and chortle. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026 The nightingale flew around the fox’s head, the two of them chortling in their own indiscernible ways. — Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chortle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chortle
  1. chuckle
  2. laugh
  3. laughter
  4. giggle
  5. snicker
Noun
  • 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
  • Wickersham says, with only the slightest of chuckles, that every quarterback is something of a sociopath and likens them to politicians in the middle of a race.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of chuckle
Verb
  • Clark was even seen laughing after Reese missed the game-winning layup.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Both Ruto, behind the wheel, and Chivayo are seen laughing, with Chivayo's wife grinning from the back seat.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • The story celebrates love in various forms and features unexpected twists, with moments of humor and others that evoke laughter, applause and even a few surprises from the audience.
    — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Or at least warts that had been covered up by the flattering glow of dim lighting, flowers, champagne toasts, and laughter.
    — Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • DeSorbo says in late July, punctuating the thought with her signature giggle.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This approach worked for Jean Nelson of Pasadena, California, after her 2-year-old son, Luke, took delight in dragging toilet paper down the hall, giggling as the roll unfurled behind him.
    — Cynthia Hanson, Parents, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of giggle
Noun
  • But there’s another 45 supremely indulgent auteur gunk that is snicker-worthy.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • As executed, the 2019 show is an emotional yet refreshingly unsentimental black comedy that snickers in the face of empowerment buzzwords like, well, healing journey.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

chorography
chortle
chortled
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Cite this Entry

“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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