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
  • The two ended up walking away laughing, and Luiz’s grin rode right into the next conversation, drill or interaction with anyone on the field.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As Buddy Crane, a buffoonish, overconfident opposing counsel who works in house for Acme, John Cena relishes his role just as much as Buddy relishes laughing at Kevin.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Giants tend to always stand a bit apart, but in true Palestinian style, Sliman had a few dear friends who shared in his times of ease and his laughter.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • There was a pause, as a room full of songwriters — the event was specifically for the Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Wing — erupted into laughter.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of laughter
Verb
  • The dynamic duo giggled and hugged as curious onlookers took out their iPhones and started snapping away.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The quarterback, 30, could be seen smiling as Bronze giggled and Golden looked directly at the camera.
    — Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 18 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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