incredulous laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incredulous laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a type of laughter that expresses disbelief or skepticism, often in response to something surprising or absurd. Example: "When he heard the outrageous claim, she responded with incredulous laughter, unable to believe what she had just heard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Cue incredulous laughter.

The New York Times

The reaction was incredulous laughter.

The Economist

The guru's followers stared at each other and burst out in incredulous laughter.

The New York Times

"No, Helena, let's correct facts," he later said to gales of incredulous laughter.

Independent

At this point the call is interrupted by a peal of derisive, incredulous laughter, followed by a click.

The Economist

"My first reaction was incredulous laughter," Ms. Gordimer said in a telephone interview over the weekend.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Five years ago, the suggestion of a Kia with a retail price of nearly $42,000 would have been met with laughter and incredulous looks.

The New York Times

There was an incredulous murmur and some quiet laughter.

Huffington Post

From experience, three things happen the moment that you let it slip that you used to be a figure skater: there is an incredulous pause, a sharp "Really?" and laughter.

The New York Times - Arts

He's going through this epic moment in his life, and he's still just incredulous, just shaking his head, very quiet, but with real sparkle and laughter in his eyes".

The New Yorker

He sounded incredulous still.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incredulous laughter" to vividly depict a situation where someone finds a statement or action so absurd or unbelievable that their reaction is laughter tinged with disbelief. This paints a clearer picture than simply stating disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "incredulous laughter" in situations that demand a serious or somber tone. The phrase implies a level of amusement or disbelief that might be inappropriate or insensitive in grave circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incredulous laughter" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific type of laughter characterized by disbelief. As Ludwig suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incredulous laughter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys disbelief mingled with amusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in various writing styles, especially in journalistic and narrative contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid using it in situations that demand a serious tone. Alternatives like "disbelieving laughter" or "skeptical laughter" can be considered based on the specific nuance required. The phrase is common in news and media, suggesting its widespread acceptance and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disbelieving laughter

Replaces "incredulous" with "disbelieving", directly focusing on the lack of belief.

skeptical laughter

Substitutes "incredulous" with "skeptical", emphasizing doubt and questioning.

a burst of incredulous laughter

Adds "a burst of" to describe a sudden and forceful expression of disbelief.

scoffing laughter

Uses "scoffing" to highlight a mocking or contemptuous tone in the laughter.

gales of incredulous laughter

Uses "gales of" to indicate a large quantity or intensity of laughter.

derisive laughter

Emphasizes the mocking and ridiculing aspect of the laughter.

mocking laughter

Focuses on the act of imitating or making fun of something.

peals of incredulous laughter

Describes laughter as ringing or echoing loudly.

uproarious disbelief

Shifts from laughter to a more general expression of disbelief, described as "uproarious".

unbelieving chortles

Replaces laughter with "chortles" and incredulous with "unbelieving", suggesting suppressed amusement mixed with disbelief.

FAQs

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

You can use "incredulous laughter" to describe someone's reaction to an unbelievable situation. For example: "When he claimed to have seen a UFO, he was met with "incredulous laughter" from the audience."

What's a good substitute for "incredulous laughter"?

Alternatives include "disbelieving laughter", "skeptical laughter", or "mocking laughter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "incredulous laughter" formal or informal?

"Incredulous laughter" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing, although it's more common in narrative or descriptive contexts.

What feeling does "incredulous laughter" convey?

"Incredulous laughter" conveys a mix of disbelief and amusement. It suggests that something is so unbelievable or absurd that the immediate reaction is laughter born from that disbelief.