biting laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biting laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe laughter that is sharp, cutting, or has a sarcastic or mocking quality. Example: "Her biting laughter echoed through the room, leaving everyone feeling uneasy about the joke that had just been made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So it went with Rob Ford, whose popularity was always due to a mix of genuine love and biting laughter.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Her laughter, her biting wit and her passionate embrace of life will be sorely missed.

The New York Times

With biting sarcasm and bittersweet sketches, Mr. Lottering and a new generation of black, Indian and mixed-race comedians are giving white audiences intimate glimpses of their joys and frustrations and using laughter as a bridge in a divided society.

The New York Times

She cleared her throat and bit her upper lip to suppress bubbling laughter.

Huffington Post

For this first one, I chose to do a joke by Brendon Walsh, who twice made me cry with laughter, once with his "cakes" bit and another time with his "anal gaping" joke.

Vice

A man who bites his nail and mumbles a chuckle, while the rest of a room erupts in laughter over comic relief.

Huffington Post

"Boy Bitten by a Lizard" is so startlingly fantastic you almost want to burst out into laughter when your eyes see it from the handsome young man recoiling from his finger being pricked.

Huffington Post

The relaxed mouth in laughter contrasts with the mouth in real aggression that is tense and prepared to bite hard.

SEP

When hospital staffers were finally able to control their laughter, the only question the doctor had for me was whether I was sleeping when it bit me; this reignited the howls.

The New York Times

He prompted laughter when he told listeners: "My father always said to me, 'If a dog bites your leg do you turn around and bite the dog back?' Of course not".

Independent

And bite.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "biting laughter" to convey a sense of sarcasm or underlying criticism in the act of laughing. It suggests the laughter is not purely joyful but has a sharper edge.

Common error

Avoid using "biting laughter" when you intend to describe genuine amusement or light-hearted joy. The adjective "biting" implies a negative or critical undertone, so ensure it aligns with the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "biting laughter" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "biting" modifies the noun "laughter". This highlights a specific quality or characteristic of the laughter, indicating it's sharp, sarcastic, or critical. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "biting laughter" is a phrase used to describe laughter that carries a sarcastic, mocking, or critical tone. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not as common as alternatives like "sarcastic laughter" or "mocking laughter". Its primary function is to express derision or disapproval, making it suitable for neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the "biting" quality aligns with your intended meaning, avoiding its use when describing genuine amusement. It is a correct construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sarcastic laughter

Replaces 'biting' with 'sarcastic' to emphasize the mocking tone of the laughter.

ironic laughter

Substitutes 'biting' with 'ironic' to highlight the contrast between what is said and what is meant.

mocking laughter

Uses 'mocking' instead of 'biting' to directly convey the act of ridiculing through laughter.

derisive laughter

Replaces 'biting' with 'derisive' to indicate contemptuous or scornful laughter.

scathing laughter

Emphasizes the harshly critical nature of the laughter.

cynical laughter

Highlights the pessimistic and distrustful nature of the laughter.

acerbic laughter

Uses 'acerbic' to describe laughter that is sharp and forthright.

sharp laughter

Focuses on the piercing quality of the laughter.

sardonic laughter

Highlights a mocking, cynical or bitter tone.

caustic laughter

Emphasizes the severely critical nature of the laughter, suggesting it can be hurtful or damaging.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "biting laughter" in a sentence?

Use "biting laughter" to describe laughter that carries a sense of sarcasm, mockery, or criticism. For example, "Her biting laughter made it clear she didn't approve of the idea."

What are some alternatives to "biting laughter"?

Consider using "sarcastic laughter", "ironic laughter", or "mocking laughter" as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "biting laughter" a common expression?

"Biting laughter" is not a very common expression but is recognized and understood in English. More common alternatives include "sarcastic laughter" or "mocking laughter".

What's the difference between "biting laughter" and "sarcastic laughter"?

While both suggest a lack of genuine amusement, "biting laughter" emphasizes the sharpness and potentially hurtful nature of the laughter, while "sarcastic laughter" primarily highlights the use of irony or mockery.