being laughed at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'being laughed at' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is the target of laughter from other people. For example: Sarah was embarrassed when she discovered everyone in the room was laughing at her, so she quickly left the party feeling humiliated from being laughed at.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're being laughed at".

The New York Times

Who likes being laughed at?

The New Yorker

Who, truly, likes being laughed at?

The Guardian - Sport

Not being laughed with, being laughed at".

The New York Times - Books

Mr. De Jesús, 23, didn't mind being laughed at.

The New York Times

Being laughed at is worse than being feared.Mr Putin tried to play down the whole incident.

The Economist

Being laughed at can be a very serious, even dangerous business.

The Guardian - Books

Being laughed at for being "different" is a long-standing anxiety of adolescence.

The Guardian

But, fearful of being laughed at, she told no one at school about her ambition.

The Guardian

At school, Thomas had to drop his northern accent to avoid being laughed at.

The New Yorker

"I'm really tired of going to conferences and being laughed at because I'm from Kansas".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being laughed at", consider the perspective and emotional impact on the person experiencing the ridicule. This phrase often carries a negative connotation, so ensure it aligns with your intended tone.

Common error

Avoid using "being laughed at" when the active voice is more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "He hated being laughed at", consider "He hated when people laughed at him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being laughed at" functions as a passive verb phrase, describing the state of an individual who is the recipient of ridicule or mockery. It highlights the experience of being the object of laughter, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being laughed at" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the experience of being the target of ridicule. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys feelings of embarrassment or humiliation and is found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "subject to ridicule" or "the butt of jokes" exist, "being laughed at" remains a direct and frequently used way to express this negative experience. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the emotional impact and ensure the tone aligns with your intended message. Avoid using it when a more direct, active voice would be more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mocked and ridiculed

This alternative uses stronger language to highlight the intensity of the ridicule.

the butt of jokes

This alternative emphasizes the role of the person as the target of humor.

a figure of fun

This suggests that someone is seen as amusing or ridiculous by others.

jeered at

This alternative uses a more active verb to describe the act of mocking someone.

subject to ridicule

This alternative uses a more formal tone to express the experience of being mocked.

the object of derision

This alternative emphasizes the person as the target of contemptuous ridicule.

exposed to mockery

This phrase emphasizes the vulnerability and exposure associated with being ridiculed.

derided and scorned

This phrase suggests a deep level of contempt and rejection.

made a fool of

This alternative suggests that someone has been tricked or manipulated into looking ridiculous.

held up to scorn

This phrase implies a strong sense of disapproval and contempt directed at someone.

FAQs

How can I use "being laughed at" in a sentence?

You can use "being laughed at" to describe a situation where someone is the target of ridicule. For instance, "She felt humiliated after "being laughed at" during her presentation".

What are some alternatives to "being laughed at"?

Alternatives include phrases like "subject to ridicule", "the butt of jokes", or "mocked and ridiculed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "being laughed at" grammatically correct?

Yes, "being laughed at" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to describe the experience of someone who is the object of laughter.

What's the difference between "being laughed at" and "being laughed with"?

"Being laughed at" implies ridicule or mockery, while "being laughed with" suggests shared amusement and camaraderie. The former is a negative experience, whereas the latter is positive.