laughing mockingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laughing mockingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is laughing in a way that expresses scorn or derision towards another person or situation. Example: "She was laughing mockingly at his failed attempt to impress the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

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

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

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

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

Me: (laughing) .

TechCrunch

Respondent: Laughing.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laughing mockingly" to clearly convey that the laughter is intended to belittle or ridicule someone or something. Ensure the context supports this interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "laughing mockingly" when the laughter is simply jovial or friendly. This phrase specifically denotes scorn, so ensure your intent aligns with this connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laughing mockingly" functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb, describing the manner of laughter. It indicates that the laughter is not genuine or lighthearted, but rather is intended to ridicule or scorn. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "laughing mockingly" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes laughter intended to ridicule or scorn. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though its occurrence is relatively rare, predominantly found in News & Media contexts. While straightforward in meaning, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the context warrants the connotation of derision. Alternative expressions, such as "scornful laughter" or "derisive laughter", offer subtle variations that may better suit specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scornful laughter

Emphasizes the scornful quality of the laughter.

scoffing laughter

Replaces "mockingly" with "scoffing", emphasizing derision.

sneering laugh

Changes the verb to "laugh" and uses "sneering" to describe the quality of the laugh, implying contempt.

derisive laughter

Uses "derisive" as an adjective to describe the laughter, highlighting its mocking nature.

taunting laugh

Substitutes "mockingly" with "taunting", suggesting a more aggressive form of mockery.

jeering laughter

Replaces "mockingly" with "jeering", indicating a loud and scornful laugh.

guffawing contemptuously

Uses "guffawing" to describe a loud laugh and "contemptuously" to emphasize the feeling of contempt.

chuckling derisively

Changes the verb to "chuckling" and uses "derisively" to describe the manner of laughing, implying quiet mockery.

smirking while laughing

Adds a visual element (smirking) to the act of laughing, emphasizing insincerity and mockery.

laughing with disdain

Uses "with disdain" to explicitly state the feeling accompanying the laughter.

FAQs

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

You can use "laughing mockingly" to describe someone expressing ridicule through laughter, as in, "The bully was "laughing mockingly" at the student who tripped."

What are some alternatives to "laughing mockingly"?

Alternatives include "scornful laughter", "sneering laugh", or "derisive laughter", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "laughing mockingly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "laughing mockingly" might be perceived as less formal. Consider alternatives like "expressing derision through laughter" for a more formal tone.

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

"Laughing mockingly" implies scorn or ridicule, while "laughing ironically" suggests a disconnect between what is said or done and what is actually meant, often for humorous effect. The key difference lies in the intent behind the laughter.