laughable failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"laughable failure" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation or outcome that is so poor or absurd that it provokes laughter. Example: The company's attempt to launch the product was a laughable failure, leaving everyone in disbelief. Alternative expressions include "ridiculous failure" and "comical disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The first was a laughable failure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The institutions of corporate governance inside the company were found to be a laughable failure.

The Economist

A miserable, laughable failure.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Many of those franchises ended up being laughable failures, and while you can't necessarily blame that on a name or a logo, every little bit helps.

The Guardian - Sport

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino bemoaned two "laughable" stoppages due to floodlight failure as his side slipped to a decisive defeat against Besiktas.

BBC

Similarly, many nuclear experts viewed the North's first two nuclear explosions as laughable flops, if not complete failures.

The New York Times

Some of those whose predictions are now so laughable that no one bothers laughing at them anymore have actually been rewarded for their failures.

Huffington Post

Laughable, too.

The Economist

Laughable, maybe.

The Washington Post

And laughable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Laughable ineptitude?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "laughable failure" can be impactful, ensure it doesn't come across as overly harsh or insensitive, especially when discussing serious matters. Sometimes a more nuanced description of the failure might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "laughable failure" in situations that require a sensitive or respectful tone. While it's effective for highlighting absurdity, it can undermine the gravity of a situation and appear dismissive or insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laughable failure" functions as a noun phrase, where "laughable" modifies the noun "failure". It serves to emphasize the degree and nature of the failure, indicating that it is not just unsuccessful but also ridiculous or absurd. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laughable failure" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes something not only unsuccessful but also ridiculously or absurdly so. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its frequency is rare, it is primarily found in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "ridiculous flop" and "comical disaster", offering similar but nuanced meanings. When using "laughable failure", be mindful of the context to avoid insensitivity. The phrase serves to criticize or mock while emphasizing the absurdity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ridiculous flop

Replaces "failure" with "flop" and "laughable" with "ridiculous", suggesting something absurd and unsuccessful.

comical disaster

Substitutes "failure" with "disaster" and "laughable" with "comical", implying a more significant and humorous level of failure.

farcical fiasco

Uses "fiasco" instead of "failure" and "farcical" to amplify the sense of absurdity and complete failure.

mockable defeat

Highlights the aspect of being ridiculed, using "defeat" instead of "failure" and "mockable" instead of "laughable".

ludicrous result

Shifts the focus to the outcome, using "result" instead of "failure" and "ludicrous" instead of "laughable".

absurd setback

Replaces "failure" with "setback", softening the negativity, and using "absurd" instead of "laughable".

pathetic attempt

Focuses on the inadequacy of the effort rather than the failure itself, replacing "laughable" with "pathetic".

deplorable outcome

Focuses on the negative consequences, replacing "laughable" with "deplorable" and "failure" with "outcome".

preposterous undertaking

Emphasizes the absurdity of the initial endeavor, rather than just the failure, using "preposterous" instead of "laughable".

woeful undertaking

Emphasizes the inadequacy and sorrowful nature of the endeavor and its result, changing failure to undertaking.

FAQs

How can I use "laughable failure" in a sentence?

You can use "laughable failure" to describe an attempt or outcome that is both unsuccessful and ridiculous. For example: "The company's attempt to launch the product was a laughable failure, resulting in significant losses."

What can I say instead of "laughable failure"?

You can use alternatives like "ridiculous flop", "comical disaster", or "farcical fiasco" depending on the context.

Is "laughable failure" too informal for professional writing?

While "laughable failure" is generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In very formal settings, alternatives like "complete debacle" or "resounding defeat" might be more appropriate.

What makes something a "laughable failure" as opposed to just a "failure"?

A "laughable failure" is not only unsuccessful but also absurd or ridiculous in its execution or outcome. It evokes a sense of irony or amusement due to the magnitude of the failure or the circumstances surrounding it.