CHORTLING Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

chortling

verb

present participle of chortle

as in laughing

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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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 chortling Regime leaders must be chortling over their surprising and unearned new international legitimacy. — Daniel B. Shapiro, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 The nightingale flew around the fox’s head, the two of them chortling in their own indiscernible ways. — Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chortling

Verb

The humor is like laughing about something that was just so stupid, or something that was so traumatic.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
But Arch Manning leading a news conference’s laughing praise of an AI video that depicted his coach back-handing Holly Rowe?

— Jason Kirk, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of laughing

Verb

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
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

Definition of giggling

Verb

Cubs pitcher David Peterson was coming out of the bullpen to pitch in the eighth inning after the fight took place, and the umpires were chuckling.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
In a New York Times interview, producer Tyran Donaldson, who has also worked with SZA, recalled chuckling at listening to the Diamonds work with the instrument.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026

Definition of chuckling

Verb

At the same time, Plog placed a phone call to a relative and can be heard moaning and screaming in pain.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Amazon doesn’t have to worry about affiliates screaming if the show bleeds into their late local newscasts, nor FCC overlord Brendan Carr having a meltdown over an unbleeped John Mulaney bit.

— Josef Adalian, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of screaming

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chortles

chortling

chorus

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“Chortling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chortling. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of chortling

verb

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