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
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
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Recent Examples of 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
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
There were no knowing winks to the camera, no pause for an unseen audience to chortle at Stan's misfortune.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Against all of this allegedly heady stuff, the score—by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross—intentionally jars us from encroaching drowsiness with chortling woodwinds and shardlike piano chords that are the aural equivalent of jagged Plexiglass off-cuts.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
There were no knowing winks to the camera, no pause for an unseen audience to chortle at Stan's misfortune.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chortle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chortle
Noun
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The name on that can will get a chuckle this summer, and the beer will end up in a cooler enjoyed by someone who’s been saying it their whole life.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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In a video from Reuters, Charles appeared to laugh off Stewart's comment and said something unintelligible before turning to shake hands with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who also got a chuckle out of the exchange.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Verb
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So much of a family's focus narrows onto the child, but watching a brother, sister, or parent get to laugh again carries its own weight.—
Jon Youshaei,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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My musical theater peers would have been very hard on me [laughs].—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 May 2026
Noun
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The remark drew laughter from the crowd and underscored the easygoing Southern charm Bell deployed throughout the forums.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
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Ali recalled a place filled with laughter, domino games and familiar faces.—
J.M. Banks
June 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Verb
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On Thursday, the tournament celebrated him, bringing out many of the top players and some of his old friends and foes to hit and giggle and say goodbye.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
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Flashlight tag is an oldie but goodie and will have parents giggling like schoolgirls along with their kids.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Noun
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There were snickers from some of the other students, including a tall and lank-haired kid whose name Adele didn’t know.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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Early never makes fun of Maddie, never lets the audience snicker at the screen.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chortle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortle. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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