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

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 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
  • So Sydanmaa looks back on his first-ever varsity play with a chuckle.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Brian Leonard’s smartly funny ode to his difficult daughter — a child whose behavior was so problematic, the family cycled through 28 therapists — offers plenty of chuckles, even with key questions left unanswered.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of chuckle
Verb
  • Holding their accounts on freeze like a fortress are smarmy bank managers who laugh in the face of Beirut citizens who attempt a demand on their own funds.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Camp’s turn here as a kooky neighbor who stumbles into an unexpected romance is exactly the kind of role that gets a room talking (and laughing).
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Rainbow flags snapped in the warm breeze as music spilled into the streets, mixing with laughter, conversation and the steady pulse of the crowd.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The whole cast commits to the bit, having undoubtedly shown up to play— still, there is something about Pine’s overdone mannerisms that land with the most uproarious laughter.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • In the video, Hilton’s 3-year-old son Phoenix can be seen giggling as the puppy playfully chases him around the room while 2-year-old sister London looks on.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The dynamic duo giggled and hugged as curious onlookers took out their iPhones and started snapping away.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of giggle
Noun
  • 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
  • Classic cookies come in 11 flavors like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snicker doodle, white chocolate macadamia nut, fruity pebbles, monster and white chocolate cranberry.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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