"cynical laughter" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a kind of laughter that conveys a disbelief or cynicism about something that has been said. For example, "He got nervous and tried to joke about it, but the group responded with cynical laughter."
State television's decision to report a foiled assassination plot against him in the week of the election provoked cynical laughter.
But the case didn't get seriously under way, owing to the constabulary's cynical laughter.
"They were written not for publication, or indeed for anyone except Mr Campbell to see," he said, to cynical laughter.
Is that cynical laughter I hear, from the legions of interns who've been slaving away unpaid since graduating back in 2010?
When the matter intrudes on the funeral of the murder victim, an awkward question arises: "Does that mean that we think looking at indecent pictures of children is a more heinous crime than killing someone?" Although Rendell graciously allows that people might just consider a sex scandal "more interesting" than murder, there's a hint of cynical laughter in her tone.
"That and the large photo cutouts of 76er guard Allen Iverson, his head superimposed on the body of a diapered baby, a pacifier in his mouth and a milk bottle in his hand, were probably the most offensive". "Jones thinks he's some sort of national hero for challenging Walton's comments, but most of the time, he comes off as an arrogant slug who loves the sound of his own cynical laughter.
But while our appetite for disaster remains undiminished, there can be a slightly cynical edge to the laughter; due, perhaps, to an atavistic desire on the part of an audience to witness a bunch of preening luvvies receiving their comeuppance.
Apple Store, W1, Tue; Curzon Mayfair, W1, Thu Phelim O'Neill For a mime artist turned film director with a mere six features to his credit, Jacques Tati's continuing influence on slapstick comedy and social commentary is truly remarkable – though less so when watching one of Tati's films, which have the rare ability to keep even today's cynical audiences in fits of laughter.
The group's frontman seems weary and cynical, his conversation punctuated with awkward laughter.
All very role-play-esque, and as a bunch of cynical journalists, we responded with bemused laughter when we were told our mission.
Rob's demonstration of adding canned laughter to television demonstrates the "cynical artifice of the medium".
