cackle
verb
cack·le ˈka-kəl 
cackled; cackling ˈka-k(ə-)liŋ
intransitive verb
1
: to make the sharp broken noise or cry characteristic of a hen especially after laying
2
: to laugh especially in a harsh or sharp manner
Shakespeare's crones cackled of evil deeds
Scott McMurray
Scott McMurray3
: chatter
cackle noun
cackler
ˈka-k(ə-)lər
noun 
Synonyms
- babble
- blab
- chaffer [British]
- chat
- chatter
- chin [slang]
- converse
- gab
- gabble
- gas
- jabber
- jaw
- kibitz
- kibbitz
- natter
- palaver
- patter
- prate
- prattle
- rap
- rattle
- run on
- schmooze
- shmooze
- talk
- visit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The hens were cackling in the henhouse. I could hear my aunts cackling in the next room.
Recent Examples on the Web Then: Leave it to Perry's Chandler Bing to deliver a sarcastic remark or punch line, which would never fail in making us cackle uncontrollably. Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 In between takes, both stars cackle after their fiery makeout sessions and on-camera play fights. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2022 Most important, Rogen understands the value of the unexpected laugh, when a sentence takes such a startling turn that the reader can only cackle. Washington Post, 9 May 2021 Amalia’s serial killer is a deranged Touched woman named Maladie (Amy Manson), who has mysterious plans and turns up occasionally to cackle and grimace. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2021 As the camera rolls, and his wife asks him to hold back, the father transforms into a goofy monster that dives face first into the cake, destroying it, while his daughters cackle in glee. Melissa Locker, Time, 16 Apr. 2020 Many from both parties, and the South, found Lincoln’s smutty frontier jokes and cackling enjoyment of lowbrow humor grotesquely unpresidential—never mind his uncombable hair and tendency to throw one leg over an arm of his chair. Edward Achorn, Time, 16 Feb. 2020 Ever since the emperor first cackled in the trailer, fans have been wondering how Palpatine managed to return. Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Dec. 2019 That brings us to the film’s depiction of Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Kathy Scruggs (played as an inhuman, cackling harpie by Olivia Wilde), whose stories were among the earliest to name Jewell as a suspect. Isaac Feldberg, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2019 See More
Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 In between takes, both stars cackle after their fiery makeout sessions and on-camera play fights. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2022 Most important, Rogen understands the value of the unexpected laugh, when a sentence takes such a startling turn that the reader can only cackle. Washington Post, 9 May 2021 Amalia’s serial killer is a deranged Touched woman named Maladie (Amy Manson), who has mysterious plans and turns up occasionally to cackle and grimace. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2021 As the camera rolls, and his wife asks him to hold back, the father transforms into a goofy monster that dives face first into the cake, destroying it, while his daughters cackle in glee. Melissa Locker, Time, 16 Apr. 2020 Many from both parties, and the South, found Lincoln’s smutty frontier jokes and cackling enjoyment of lowbrow humor grotesquely unpresidential—never mind his uncombable hair and tendency to throw one leg over an arm of his chair. Edward Achorn, Time, 16 Feb. 2020 Ever since the emperor first cackled in the trailer, fans have been wondering how Palpatine managed to return. Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Dec. 2019 That brings us to the film’s depiction of Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Kathy Scruggs (played as an inhuman, cackling harpie by Olivia Wilde), whose stories were among the earliest to name Jewell as a suspect. Isaac Feldberg, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English cakelen, of imitative origin
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
cackle 1 of 2
verb
cack·le ˈka-kəl
cackled; cackling
1
: to make the noise or cry a hen makes especially after laying an egg
2
: to laugh or chatter noisily
cackle
2 of 2noun
: a sound made by a hen or like that made by a hen
a cackle of laughter
cackle 1 of 2
noun
1
as in laughter
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement erupted in a high-pitched cackle at the absurdity of the suggestion Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- laughter
- chuckle
- giggle
- laugh
- snicker
- guffaw
- chortle
- smile
- grin
- snigger
- smirk
- titter
- horselaugh
- boffo
- belly laugh
- cachinnation
- hee-haw
- crow
- twitter
- boff
- whoop
- simper
- boffola
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cry
- groan
- wail
- sob
- moan
- grimace
- frown
- scowl
- mouth
- face
- pout
- lour
- lower
2
as in chatter
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this the constant cackle of his seat companion made the long flight seem even longer Synonyms & Similar Words
- chatter
- chat
- talk
- gossip
- gab
- small talk
- chitchat
- table talk
- patter
- natter
- jaw
- gabfest
- jangle
- schmooze
- tête-à-tête
- palaver
- debate
- dialogue
- confabulation
- confab
- chin music
- causerie
- chin-wag
- rap
- backchat
- discourse
- exchange
- conference
- yammer
- symposium
- yap
- dialog
- happy talk
- parley
- colloquy
- yak
- crosstalk
- yack
- give-and-take
cackle
2 of 2verb
1
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation a group of old friends who met regularly to laugh and cackle about their glory days Synonyms & Similar Words
- chat
- talk
- chatter
- converse
- gabble
- rattle
- prattle
- babble
- prate
- jabber
- patter
- gab
- natter
- kibitz
- blab
- schmooze
- gas
- palaver
- rap
- gossip
- chaffer
- chin
- jaw
- blow smoke
- discuss
- run on
- shmooze
- kibbitz
- chew the rag
- talk a blue streak
- visit
- twitter
- tattle
- shoot the breeze
- chew the fat
- yammer
- yap
- descant
- expatiate
- yack
- yak
2
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound she cackled with glee when her tax-evading neighbor finally got caught Synonyms & Similar Words
- laugh
- giggle
- chuckle
- scream
- chortle
- grin
- smile
- snicker
- roar
- titter
- hee-haw
- crack up
- twitter
- split one's sides
- break up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cry
- sob
- weep
- howl
- wail
- bawl
- whine
- blubber
- squall
- groan
- yowl
- bleat
- whimper
- moan
- sniffle
- sigh
- snivel
- pule