laugh mockingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laugh mockingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a type of laughter that expresses scorn or derision towards someone or something. Example: "When he heard the ridiculous excuse, he couldn't help but laugh mockingly at the absurdity of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Johan, an egomaniacal monster whose great charm derives from the force of his unyielding will, might live and laugh mockingly forever — always at the expense of those who are, somehow, drawn to his strength and subjected to his brutality.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Melissa laughed mockingly at the drawing of the confused man, but she nodded her head in approval at the two other symbols.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He laughed mockingly as he was doing it and said that I could not even defend myself so how did I think that I could stage a revolution.

The New York Times

Paula Abdul was moved to tears by Elliott Yamin's version of "A Song for You" on Tuesday's "American Idol," and her fellow judge Simon Cowell laughed mockingly at her choked-up commentary.

The New York Times

If you die, do you think you'd go to heaven or hell?' And he got real red in the face, and then he got real white in the face, and he said, 'Jerry Lee, don't you ever say that to me agin.' I said, 'Well, I won't even say it to you again.' Hahahaha!" He laughs, mockingly, at Elvis's country accent.

The Guardian - Music

The Coach-haters in the live audience (everyone) all laughed mockingly at how Dork Vader's big mouth had sunk him.

Huffington Post

She laughed, mockingly saying it was not (Obama agreed), and then added, "We're having a wonderful time!" Clinton was asked perhaps the toughest question we have heard tonight -- a 38-year-old woman emailed in asking how Clinton could possibly represent change when the Bushes and Clinton have been on every presidential ballot for the past two decades.

Huffington Post

The Party has never truly forgiven him for attracting all those votes, and in fact, much of the election of Jeremy Corbyn can be read as an attempt to squeeze all the votes out of his former party and then present Blair with the hollow husk while laughing mockingly.

Vice

He laughs self-mockingly as he speaks, the kind of engaging good humor shared by the best Italians -- the art of laughing gently at others' foibles while including themselves in the joke.

The New York Times - Magazine

Indeed, the vaguely sexist name, which seems to allude to the sexually aggressive middle-aged women mockingly known as cougars, suggests the handiwork of someone having a laugh at the expense of broken-hearted second-wave feminists.

The Guardian - Opinion

"What?" Mr. Stewart asked, mockingly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laugh mockingly" to clearly convey a sense of scorn, ridicule, or derision through laughter. It is more effective when the context already implies a power dynamic or a situation of disrespect.

Common error

Avoid using "laugh mockingly" in situations where the intention is merely playful teasing or lighthearted humor, as it carries a strong connotation of contempt. Opt for gentler phrases like "laugh teasingly" or "laugh playfully" if the intention is not to cause offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laugh mockingly" primarily functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb. The verb "laugh" describes the action, while the adverb "mockingly" specifies the manner in which the action is performed, indicating scorn or derision. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laugh mockingly" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of expressing scorn or derision through laughter. As Ludwig AI states, it is a usable phrase in written English. While generally neutral in register, its implied disrespect makes it more common in news and media contexts. When seeking alternative expressions, consider "scoffing laugh" or "chuckle scornfully" to vary your wording. However, avoid overusing "laugh mockingly" in neutral or playful contexts, where its inherent contempt may be inappropriate. When writing or speaking, be mindful of the power dynamics in play when selecting this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scoffing laugh

Replaces the verb "laugh" with a noun describing the type of laughter.

guffaw derisively

Replaces "laugh" with a more boisterous synonym and "mockingly" with a similar adverb.

chuckle scornfully

Substitutes "laugh" with a quieter expression of amusement and "mockingly" with an adverb indicating contempt.

sneer with laughter

Replaces "mockingly" with a verb indicating a contemptuous facial expression accompanying laughter.

ridicule with laughter

Emphasizes the act of ridiculing while laughing.

cackle derisively

Uses a harsh, broken sound of laughter to suggest mockery.

giggle contemptuously

Employs a nervous or silly laugh to express contempt.

snort with derision

Replaces laughter with a forceful expulsion of air to convey contempt.

scornful laughter

Uses an adjective to characterize laughter as scornful.

taunt with laughter

Focuses on the act of taunting, using laughter as a tool.

FAQs

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

You can use "laugh mockingly" to describe someone expressing scorn or derision through laughter, such as: "He "laughed mockingly" at their naive attempts to fix the engine."

What are some alternatives to saying "laugh mockingly"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "laugh mockingly" include "scoffing laugh", "chuckle scornfully", or "sneer with laughter". Each alternative subtly changes the nuance of the action.

Is it ever appropriate to use "laugh mockingly" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate in formal writing when you need to precisely convey the expression of scorn or ridicule through laughter, especially in character descriptions or narrative contexts. However, consider if a more nuanced description might be more effective.

What's the difference between "laugh mockingly" and "laugh ironically"?

"Laugh mockingly" implies derision and scorn, while "laugh ironically" suggests a laugh that is used to convey a meaning opposite to the literal one. For example, someone might "laugh ironically" at their own misfortune to downplay its severity.