a mirthless laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mirthless laugh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a laugh that lacks joy or amusement, often conveying sarcasm or bitterness. Example: "He let out a mirthless laugh, realizing the futility of his situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

She gives a mirthless laugh.

The Guardian - Film

She lets out a mirthless laugh.

The Guardian

He lets out a mirthless laugh.

The Guardian

"We laugh, but it's a mirthless laugh".

The New Yorker

"Plus a million supporters," he adds, with a mirthless laugh.

The Economist

"Oh no," he replies, with a mirthless laugh.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If I could argue, I'd have become a lawyer, like your husband, no?" Chanel made a mirthless laughing sound.

The New Yorker

"And I apologized for, you know, like" — she lets out a brittle, mirthless laugh — "bouncing a check, or passing out in their bathtub, or" — lowering her voice to a near-whisper as though confiding a secret — "flooding their house.

The New York Times

The other quarter probably answered all questions about retirement with a hearty, mirthless laugh.

Vice

SINGAPORE -- "No one cares about Southeast Asia," LGBT activist Jean Chong says, her eyes downcast as she lets out a small mirthless laugh.

Huffington Post

Follow Sindri Eldon on Twitter.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mirthless laugh" to effectively convey a character's cynicism, disappointment, or lack of genuine amusement in a situation. This phrase adds depth to descriptions of emotional responses.

Common error

Avoid using "a mirthless laugh" when you simply mean a laugh that isn't funny. "Mirthless" implies a deeper sense of unhappiness or bitterness, while "humorless" only describes the absence of humor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mirthless laugh" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of laughter. It typically acts as the object of a verb, such as 'gave', 'let out', or 'issued', indicating the manner in which someone laughed. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase, providing numerous examples of its use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a mirthless laugh" is a grammatically correct and contextually rich expression used to describe laughter devoid of joy, often tinged with sadness or cynicism. Ludwig AI identifies it as a valid and usable phrase in written English, primarily found in News & Media. It serves to deepen character descriptions and convey complex emotional states. When choosing this phrase, consider alternatives like "a hollow laugh" or "a bitter laugh" to best capture the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mirthless chuckle

Uses "chuckle" instead of "laugh", softening the expression slightly.

a joyless laugh

Replaces "mirthless" with "joyless" maintaining a similar meaning of the expression.

a joyless chuckle

Replaces "laugh" with "chuckle" and "mirthless" with "joyless", slightly altering the intensity.

a bitter laugh

Conveys a sense of resentment or cynicism that accompanies the laugh.

a hollow laugh

Indicates emptiness or insincerity behind the laugh.

a forced laugh

Emphasizes the artificial or strained nature of the laugh.

a sardonic laugh

Implies a mocking or cynical quality to the laugh.

a humorless laugh

Focuses on the absence of humor or amusement in the laugh.

a cynical laugh

Highlights the distrustful and pessimistic nature of the laugh.

a dry laugh

Suggests a lack of emotion or enthusiasm in the laugh.

FAQs

How can I use "a mirthless laugh" in a sentence?

You can use "a mirthless laugh" to describe a reaction that lacks genuine amusement and often indicates underlying sadness or cynicism. For example: "He gave "a mirthless laugh", realizing the futility of his efforts."

What's the difference between "a mirthless laugh" and "a hollow laugh"?

"A mirthless laugh" suggests a lack of joy due to sadness or bitterness, while "a hollow laugh" implies emptiness or insincerity. The former is about missing happiness, the latter is about lacking substance. Consider alternatives like "a hollow laugh".

What can I say instead of "a mirthless laugh"?

You can use alternatives like "a joyless chuckle", "a bitter laugh", or "a forced laugh" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a mirthless laugh" in formal writing?

Yes, "a mirthless laugh" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to accurately depict a character's complex emotional state, especially in literature or character analysis. Consider the nuance when choosing this phrase over something simpler.