explode in laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explode in laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe the act of laughing uncontrollably or with great intensity. For example, "The comedian's joke was so funny that the entire audience exploded in laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As he hangs up they all explode in laughter.

The Guardian

The clown makes the children explode in laughter and their cackles and giggles, in turn, empower him to keep going.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Vertical!" He exploded in laughter.

The New Yorker

The opera house exploded in laughter.

The New Yorker

Then they exploded in laughter.

The New York Times

The rows behind us exploded in laughter.

The New York Times - Travel

The tension that was felt becomes suddenly redundant and is exploded in laughter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"How did your new plumber work out?" The room exploded in laughter.

The New York Times

I exploded in laughter, and I've been quoting the scene to friends ever since it aired.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Later, when little Piper licked her hand and smoothed Trig's hair, the room exploded in laughter.

The New York Times

He went on, in a telltale deadpan, "And my feeling is that, um, if we can just make every day — " The room exploded in laughter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explode in laughter" to vividly describe a moment when people react with sudden, unrestrained amusement. This phrase is best suited for contexts where the laughter is a spontaneous and powerful outburst.

Common error

While "explode in laughter" is appropriate for many situations, it can sound melodramatic or informal in highly formal or serious contexts. Opt for more neutral phrases like "laughed" or "expressed amusement" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explode in laughter" functions as a verb phrase, describing an action. It vividly depicts a sudden, forceful, and unrestrained expression of amusement. Ludwig's examples show its use in news and media to highlight moments of intense comedic reaction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explode in laughter" is a verb phrase used to vividly describe a sudden and intense outburst of amusement. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While it effectively conveys strong comedic reactions, it's best to avoid it in overly formal settings. Alternatives like "burst into laughter" or "erupt in laughter" offer similar meanings with slight variations in intensity. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burst into laughter

Replaces "explode" with "burst", suggesting a slightly less forceful but still sudden onset of laughter.

erupt in laughter

Similar to "explode", but implies a more volcanic and uncontrollable release of laughter.

roar with laughter

Focuses on the loud and boisterous quality of the laughter.

howl with laughter

Suggests unrestrained and often prolonged laughter.

break into laughter

Indicates a more sudden and possibly unexpected start of laughter.

dissolve into laughter

Implies a gradual transition into laughter, often due to overwhelming amusement.

crack up

An informal way to describe suddenly starting to laugh.

be convulsed with laughter

Suggests a physical reaction to extreme amusement, where the body is shaken by laughter.

choke with laughter

Implies laughter that is so intense it interferes with breathing.

double over with laughter

Suggests laughter so intense it causes someone to bend over.

FAQs

How can I use "explode in laughter" in a sentence?

You can use "explode in laughter" to describe a sudden and unrestrained outburst of amusement, as in, "The comedian's joke was so unexpected that the audience "exploded in laughter"".

What are some alternatives to "explode in laughter"?

Alternatives include "burst into laughter", "erupt in laughter", or "roar with laughter", each conveying a slightly different nuance of amusement.

Is "explode in laughter" formal or informal?

"Explode in laughter" is generally considered less formal and more expressive. In formal contexts, it may be better to use more neutral phrases like "the audience laughed".

What does "explode in laughter" emphasize compared to simply saying "laughed"?

"Explode in laughter" emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of the laughter. It suggests a powerful, almost uncontrollable reaction, unlike the more neutral term "laughed".