cackle

Examples

• All

• Shaw broke off in a high cackle, rather red in the face and breathless from performing his social duty.

  Fiction book (1992)

• "Guess Archie is trying to perform a public service," she said, breaking into a maniacal cackle.

  Fiction book (1995)

• I could hear Elmo's high cackle of a laugh.

  Fiction book (1993)

• "Her laugh is even louder, a harsh cackle that leaves her doubled over in surprised pain.

  Fiction book (1993)

• The narrator of The Unnamable records "a great cackle of laughter, at the sight of his terror and distress."

  Academic text (2017)

• Once a melodiously sculpted soprano, it is now no more beautiful than the cackle of an old hen.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Zack waited until the old man's cackle had faded into a phlegm-filled cough, then forced a deliberate calm in his voice.

  Fiction book (2002)

• The loud cackle of the hen filled the farmyard as it called to its chicks.

• Her shrill cackle could be heard from across the room, making everyone turn to see what was happening.

• The comedian's jokes elicited a series of cackles from the audience, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Synonyms

W

whoop

vscackle

• Informal

46 4.9

A loud high shout to show excitement or joy

is harsher and more sharp, sounding like a repeated bird laugh

S

shriek

vscackle

43 2.7

A loud high sound showing fear, pain or excitement

is more like repeated sharp notes used for shrill laughter

S

squawk

vscackle

21 4.9

A loud, harsh sound often made by a bird

is a sharper repeated shrill laugh rather than a single harsh note

S

shrieking

vscackle

15 3.0

A loud, very high sound like a scream made by a person or animal

is similar but occurs as repeated sharp notes like a hen laugh

H

ha-ha

vscackle

• Informal

11 9.1

A loud, wild laugh like a horse's neigh

is shriller and more repeated, like a bird's sharp sound

B

bawk

vscackle

10 9.9

A short clucking sound made by a chicken

is sharper and more shrill than that clucking sound

G

guffaw

vscackle

7 6.1

A sudden, loud laugh that bursts out

is less deep and more sharp, like a repeated shrill laugh

H

haw-haw

vscackle

1 9.9

A loud, harsh laugh that sounds like a horse's neigh

is birdlike and shriller rather than low and neighing in sound

R

roar of laughter

vscackle

1 3.2

A very loud sound made by many people when they find something funny

is distinctly shrill and repeated, resembling a bird's sharp call

S

shrilling

vscackle

7.4

A long, very high sound that hurts the ears

is broken into sharp repeated bursts rather than a continuous tone

H

hee-haw

vscackle

9.9

A loud, harsh laugh like a donkey's bray

is higher pitched and more rapid than that braying style

H

horselaugh

vscackle

• Archaic

8.5

A loud rough noise people make when they find something funny that is like a horse sound

is higher and more piercing, closer to birdlike shrill laughter

C

cachinnation

vscackle

• Archaic

9.9

Very loud laughter that makes your body shake

is sharper and more high pitched rather than convulsive and deep

How Shrill

to shriek

72 2.9

cackle

10 4.1

chirp

18 1.6

to cluck

27 3.3

Surface Forms

Etymology