harsh laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harsh laugh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a laugh that is unpleasant, grating, or lacking warmth, often conveying mockery or disdain. Example: "When he heard the joke, his harsh laugh echoed through the room, making everyone uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For good? NED (with a harsh laugh): You're damn right — for good!

The New Yorker

He gave a quick, harsh laugh, and then his voice lightened.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If someone makes a harsh joke about it laugh it off to show you couldn't care less.

WikiHow

Jim, who was hugging his pipe in the background, broke into a short, harsh, cackling laugh.

The New Yorker

And he delights in deadpan humor, which, if one does not show signs at once of appreciating his ironic intent, he underlines with a harsh, dry laugh.

The New Yorker

The voice of Audrey2 is very demanding vocally, particularly the loud, harsh, cackling laugh.

WikiHow

Because it milks harsh, cheap laughs out of the bullies who make up Trump's base.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then she suddenly laughed, harsh and mean.

The New Yorker

"We talk-talk-talk about the details—very harsh criticising and laughing," says Ramin with a wave of his cigarette.

The Economist

The creature with the horn and the red mop of hair was called Judith, and she had a sharp, poky voice and a harsh cackle for a laugh.

The New Yorker

On the phone, Young laughed, a harsh "Ha!" Then his voice broke.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harsh laugh" when you want to convey a sense of discomfort, cynicism, or negativity associated with the act of laughing. It's suitable for describing characters or situations in literature, or for adding emotional depth to narratives.

Common error

While "harsh laugh" is effective in specific contexts, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your descriptions of laughter to maintain reader engagement; consider using alternatives like "bitter laugh" or "forced laugh" to provide nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harsh laugh" functions as a descriptive element, modifying the noun "laugh" to specify its quality. It indicates a laugh that is unpleasant, grating, or devoid of genuine amusement. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this function in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harsh laugh" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, though it appears relatively infrequently. Ludwig AI indicates its suitability for describing a laugh lacking warmth, often conveying mockery or disdain. Primarily found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it serves to impart cynicism, bitterness, or cruelty to a situation or character. Alternatives like "bitter laugh" or "mocking laugh" can provide additional nuance, but it's important to avoid overusing the expression to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mocking laugh

Focuses on the intention to ridicule or make fun of someone.

cruel laugh

Emphasizes the malicious intent behind the laugh.

scornful laugh

Suggests a laugh filled with contempt or disdain.

bitter laugh

Emphasizes the feeling of resentment or disappointment behind the laugh.

cold laugh

Implies a lack of warmth or empathy in the laugh.

cynical laugh

Highlights the skeptical and distrustful nature of the laugh.

sharp laugh

Conveys the sudden and cutting nature of the laugh.

forced laugh

Indicates that the laugh is insincere or unnatural.

dry laugh

Highlights the lack of humor or genuine amusement.

unpleasant laugh

A general term for a laugh that is displeasing or off-putting.

FAQs

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

You can use "harsh laugh" to describe a character's reaction to a situation, for example: "His harsh laugh echoed in the empty room, revealing his bitterness."

What does "harsh laugh" typically imply?

A "harsh laugh" usually implies cynicism, bitterness, or a lack of genuine amusement. It can also suggest mockery or a cruel intent.

What are some synonyms for "harsh laugh"?

Some synonyms for "harsh laugh" include "bitter laugh", "cynical laugh", or "mocking laugh", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "harsh laugh" a formal or informal expression?

"Harsh laugh" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly used in narrative or descriptive writing.