defeated laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'defeated laugh' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a laugh that is forced or feigned, and often reveals a sense of disappointment or resignation. For example, "He gave a defeated laugh when he overheard his boss talking about transferring him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Thus, Parker's life becomes impervious to time, a subject friends and business partners acknowledge with a defeated laugh.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Firstly, on the surface is my memory of playing computer games with mates, going to the video shop and renting out the latest titles that nobody could afford to buy, staying up late and laughing as we defeated the next boss and ate crisps.

Vice

"It's nothing to be defeated in a democracy, is it?" He laughed when asked if his wife, Pauline, wanted him to retire.

BBC

The guy almost laughed and lay back down defeated.

Vice

But UC Irvine wasn't laughing Saturday as the 49ers defeated the Anteaters, 9-6, in the first game of a Pacific Coast Conference doubleheader at Irvine.

Los Angeles Times

"I didn't want to be that guy," he said, laughing, moments after the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Rangers, 5-2.

The New York Times - Sports

In January, Li defeated world number one Caroline Wozniacki at the Australian Open and drew laughs from the crowd by mocking her husband's snoring the night before.

The New Yorker

Never defeated.

The New Yorker

This year's canine corps is the crowd-pleasing act from It'ly, the Olate Family's Dogs, with a passel of energetic terriers and poodles that walk alone and in combinations on hindpaws and forepaws, scoot down slides, push scooters and vault over hurdles, although there is always one little clown bent on getting laughs by defeating expectations.

The New York Times - Arts

On the other hand, the best way to defeat such power is to laugh at it, which Mr. Irons and the rest of the cast do with effortless silliness.

The New York Times

Mr. Leaming's staging, desperately seeking laughs, is self-defeating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defeated laugh" to subtly convey a character's inner disappointment or resignation without explicitly stating their feelings. It's a nuanced way to add emotional depth.

Common error

Avoid using "defeated laugh" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your descriptions of emotional responses to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defeated laugh" functions as a noun phrase where 'defeated' modifies 'laugh', indicating a specific quality or type of laugh. It describes the manner of the laugh, conveying underlying feelings of resignation or disappointment, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defeated laugh" describes a laugh tinged with disappointment or resignation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to subtly convey a character's complex emotional state. While grammatically sound, consider alternatives like "resigned chuckle" or "rueful laugh" for greater impact or clarity. Remember that overuse can diminish its effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resigned chuckle

Replaces 'laugh' with 'chuckle', emphasizing quiet amusement tinged with acceptance.

disappointed smile

Substitutes 'laugh' with 'smile', focusing on the visual expression of disappointment.

bitter smile

Replaces with a "bitter smile", where it emphasizes a sense of resentment.

hollow laugh

Uses "hollow laugh" to suggest a laugh that lacks sincerity or genuine amusement.

forced laugh

Emphasizes the insincerity and strained nature of the laugh.

rueful laugh

The laugh is tinged with regret or sorrow.

resigned sigh

Shifts the expression from a laugh to a sigh, conveying a sense of giving up.

weary chuckle

Suggests a laugh born of exhaustion or resignation.

a sound of resignation

Replaces the specific action of "laugh" for the overall feeling of resignation.

crestfallen expression

Shifts the expression from a laugh to a general visual expression of dejection.

FAQs

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

You can use "defeated laugh" to describe a sound someone makes that expresses both amusement and disappointment or resignation. For example, "He gave a "defeated laugh" when he realized he had lost the game".

What can I say instead of "defeated laugh"?

You can use alternatives like "resigned chuckle", "rueful laugh", or "hollow laugh" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does a "defeated laugh" mean?

A "defeated laugh" signifies a laugh that is tinged with a sense of failure, resignation, or disappointment. It suggests that the person laughing is not genuinely amused but is instead expressing a feeling of being overcome or subdued.

Is "defeated laugh" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "defeated laugh" is not a very common expression. Alternatives like "resigned chuckle" or "bitter smile" might be more frequently encountered.