bitter laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"bitter laughter" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a type of laugh that is tinged with sadness or resignation, typically in response to an unfortunate or ironic situation. For example, "When I heard the news of his sudden death, I couldn't help but release a bitter laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

(European readers may insert bitter laughter here—a gallon of gasoline in Washington costs a trifling $1.60).

The Economist

There was more bitter laughter, as well as fabulously poised prose, from Edward St Aubyn in Mother's Milk.

The Guardian - Books

In his three-hour interview with The Times, Mr. Qaissi did not veer from reported details and appeared confident in his discussion, punctuating his story with bitter laughter and occasionally, tears.

The New York Times

Asked "What do you feel about the Olympics?" the other day, a random sampling of people here gave answers that included bitter laughter; the words "fiasco," "disaster" and "police state"; and detailed explanations of how they usually get to work, how that is no longer possible and how very unhappy that makes them.

The New York Times - Sports

Trump's sudden distaste for "the wedge of disunity"—a wedge he has used with such abandon that he could just as well brand it, gild it, and have his sons sell it was so obviously at odds with his public persona that it provoked, on the Democratic side of the aisle, bitter laughter.

The New Yorker

Up to a point, the strategy works well – but in the process Katerina is sentimentalised (her monicker is Lady Macbeth, after all, not Madame Bovary) and without the bitter laughter at the idiocy of life that was so fundamental to Shostakovich's mentality, the effect is a bit flat and colourless – opera in the manner of television drama.

The Telegraph

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In an adaptation that is usually mentioned to the accompaniment of bitter male laughter, only the females need blood.

The New York Times

Bitter-sad laughter beats some of the alternatives.

The New York Times

He heard bitter, almost crazed, laughter before unseen hands rubbed excrement into his face and liniment around his genitals.

Independent

He describes himself as "a cynical, prematurely old creature laughing at himself and at others with the bitter, cruel, envious laughter of the dead".

Independent

With a reassuring confidence that comes from the author's reflective tone and director Will Simpson's mature staging, Noel Coward's slightly bitter comedy, "Present Laughter," embraces and charms us with its grown-up wit and middle-aged rhythms.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitter laughter" to convey a complex emotional response that combines humor with feelings of sadness, disappointment, or resignation in the face of an unfortunate situation.

Common error

Avoid using "bitter laughter" when the situation warrants pure joy or unadulterated grief. It's best suited for scenarios where humor and sorrow are intertwined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitter laughter" functions as a noun phrase, where 'bitter' modifies 'laughter'. It describes a specific quality of laughter, conveying an emotion that is tinged with sadness, irony, or resentment. Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness of this phrase in standard English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

9%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bitter laughter" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe laughter tinged with sadness, irony, or resentment. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in standard English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase effectively conveys a complex emotional response to unfortunate or ironic situations. Alternatives like "rueful laugh" or "wry amusement" offer similar but subtly different shades of meaning. When using this phrase, consider the emotional context to accurately represent the character's or speaker's state of mind. Avoid using it in situations that solely warrant pure joy or unadulterated grief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rueful laugh

Conveys a sense of regret or sorrow mixed with amusement.

wry amusement

Suggests a dry and understated humor in the face of adversity.

resigned chuckle

Emphasizes acceptance of an unpleasant situation, minimizing the bitterness.

hollow amusement

Emphasizes the emptiness and lack of genuine joy.

ironic amusement

Focuses more on the irony of the situation, rather than the sadness or resignation.

disappointed mirth

Highlights the feeling of disappointment.

cynical chuckle

Implies a dismissive and distrustful attitude, rather than just sadness.

forced chuckle

Underlines the insincerity and effort behind the laughter.

sardonic guffaw

Highlights a mocking and scornful tone, adding an element of superiority.

mocking laughter

Focuses primarily on derision and scorn.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "bitter laughter" in a sentence?

Use "bitter laughter" to describe a laugh that expresses a combination of amusement and disappointment or resignation about a difficult or ironic situation. For example: "He responded to the absurd proposal with a burst of bitter laughter."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "bitter laughter"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "rueful laugh", "wry amusement", or "cynical chuckle" to convey similar but slightly different shades of meaning.

Is "bitter laughter" a commonly used phrase in English?

Yes, while not extremely frequent, "bitter laughter" is a recognized and understood phrase in English. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in reputable publications.

What's the difference between "bitter laughter" and "hollow laughter"?

"Bitter laughter" implies a mix of amusement and disappointment or resentment, while "hollow laughter" suggests emptiness and lack of genuine emotion behind the laugh. The former has a tinge of sadness, the latter indicates a lack of true feeling.