forced chuckle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forced chuckle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a laugh that is insincere or done out of obligation rather than genuine amusement. Example: "During the awkward silence, she let out a forced chuckle to ease the tension in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was stiffly polite and accommodating, but he had yet to learn how disarming a forced chuckle could be.

The New Yorker

I nodded, faked a laugh, and then accidentally choked on my own forced chuckle.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He forced a chuckle now and then, and suppressed a sigh when asked about the "too familiar" sight of James, a $30 million investment, watching from the sideline.

The New York Times - Sports

10.29pm: The stimulus bill includes lots of ridiculous wasteful spending, Jindal notes, forcing a chuckle for each example to emphasise how silly it is -- including "something called volcano monitoring".

The Guardian

My cousin laughs loudly, but it is forced, like a chuckle off a laugh track.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a performative laugh, forced out not chuckled, and the initial reaction is one of annoyance.

The Guardian - Film

Can you get it to LAX?" Mr. Keoghan said with a chuckle, "He was forced into saving Kaylani".

The New York Times

And we were all forced... .. Jesse and Hadewijch begin to chuckle.

Vice

Looking at them forced me to imagine Gwyneth gripping one and chuckling to herself. .

Vice

Now will he be forced to return to his television-writing job for Chuckles the Chipmunk?

The New York Times

He chuckles a bit too much, in a rater forced way, whenever he wants to convince you that some aspect of government behaviour is ridiculous.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forced chuckle" to subtly indicate a character's discomfort, insincerity, or attempt to mask true feelings in writing. This phrase effectively communicates a lack of genuine amusement.

Common error

Avoid using "forced chuckle" excessively, as it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Instead, vary your descriptions of insincere laughter with alternatives like "insincere chuckle" or "fake laugh" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forced chuckle" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "let out a forced chuckle") or as a descriptive element modifying a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forced chuckle" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, primarily found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, it aptly describes an insincere or artificial laugh used to mask discomfort or unease. While not overly common, the phrase effectively communicates a lack of genuine amusement. When using "forced chuckle", consider varying your descriptions of insincere laughter to avoid repetition, opting for alternatives like "fake laugh" or "insincere chuckle" to maintain reader engagement. The examples analyzed by Ludwig highlight its prevalence in narrative and descriptive writing, adding depth to character portrayal and scene-setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincere chuckle

Directly indicates a lack of genuine amusement in the chuckle.

contrived chuckle

Highlights the deliberate and planned nature of the chuckle.

phony chuckle

Informal term suggesting deceit and lack of authenticity.

fake laugh

A more general term indicating insincerity, lacking the specific sound of a chuckle.

unconvincing laugh

Focuses on the lack of believability in the laugh.

artificial laugh

Similar to "fake laugh", emphasizing the unnatural quality of the sound.

strained laugh

Implies effort and discomfort in producing the laugh.

manufactured chuckle

Emphasizes the artificial and produced quality of the chuckle.

hollow laugh

Suggests the laugh is empty and without real feeling.

wooden chuckle

Suggests the laugh is stiff and unnatural, like wood.

FAQs

How can I use "forced chuckle" in a sentence?

You can use "forced chuckle" to describe a laugh that is insincere or unnatural. For example, "He responded to the awkward joke with a "forced chuckle" to ease the tension".

What are some synonyms for "forced chuckle"?

Alternatives include "insincere chuckle", "fake laugh", or "artificial laugh", each conveying a slightly different nuance of insincerity.

Is "forced chuckle" grammatically correct?

Yes, "forced chuckle" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What is the difference between a "forced chuckle" and a regular chuckle?

A "forced chuckle" is insincere and often used to mask discomfort or unease, while a regular chuckle is a genuine expression of amusement or pleasure. The "forced chuckle" lacks authenticity.