strained laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strained laugh" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "strained laugh" when you want to describe a laugh that is not genuine. For example: "I made a joke, hoping to lighten the mood, but the only response I got was a strained laugh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She gives a strained laugh.

The New Yorker

"Mikhail Borisovich," she said, with a strained laugh, "we need to talk — especially before your trip to America!" For a prisoner of conscience, Khodorkovsky did not have an especially principled youth.

The New Yorker

"That's true," he answers, with a strained laugh, "but it's easier to find carne de segundo (second-grade meat) than it is to find carne de primero (first-grade meat)." Ramón offers to take me to see where he purchases beef.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Further, three types of laughs (funny laughs, bitter laughs, forced laughs) were identified.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Considering all these storm clouds, it is a huge surprise that "Imagine That" plays so much better than its strained premise and hideous, overdone laugh track make it sound.

The New York Times - Arts

Huston looked astonished and, after a moment laughed in a strained way.

The New Yorker

(Isherwood)20091119 'THE UNDERSTUDY' Julie White fabricates bountiful laughs from a sumptuous display of strained nerves in Theresa Rebeck's scattershot backstage comedy, which also stars Justin Kirk ("Weeds") and Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("Saved by the Bell") as actors on far different levels of the showbiz totem pole (1 30).

The New York Times

With near-deadly intervals between laughs the norm here, this awkward attempt at humor becomes a strained substitute for genuinely funny dialogue, a sure sign of a playwright struggling to find her comic voice.

The New York Times

No more strained pulp!

The New York Times - Magazine

A strained relationship existed betw.

The New Yorker

Parker has a strained hamstring.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strained laugh" to indicate a lack of genuine amusement, often masking discomfort, nervousness, or a forced attempt at humor. It's best suited for scenarios where the character's true feelings are at odds with the act of laughing.

Common error

Avoid using "strained laugh" repeatedly to describe a character. Vary your descriptions by incorporating other indicators of discomfort or insincerity, such as body language or tone of voice. For example, the character can produce a "nervous laugh".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strained laugh" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "strained" modifies the noun "laugh". This combination describes a specific type of laughter that is not genuine or natural. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to depict insincerity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strained laugh" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe a laugh that lacks genuineness. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to convey a character's emotional state, often indicating discomfort, nervousness, or an attempt to conceal true feelings. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register and can be effectively employed in various writing styles. While there are several alternatives like "forced chuckle" or "awkward laugh", "strained laugh" provides a distinct nuance emphasizing the effort and discomfort behind the insincere laughter. Keep in mind that "strained laugh" needs to be descriptive and not repetitive. Use it strategically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincere laugh

It's the most straight synonym of the word. A direct way to describe that the laugh isn't genuine

unconvincing laugh

Replaces "strained" with "unconvincing", directly addressing the lack of genuineness.

awkward laugh

Uses "awkward" instead of "strained", highlighting the uncomfortable nature of the laugh.

artificial laugh

Replaces "strained" with "artificial", emphasizing the manufactured quality of the laugh.

unnatural laugh

Similar to artificial laugh. Replaces "strained" with unnatural to emphasize the manufactured quality of the laugh.

forced chuckle

Replaces "laugh" with "chuckle", implying a quiet, suppressed, and potentially insincere laugh.

hollow laugh

Employs "hollow" to describe the emptiness and lack of sincerity in the laugh.

nervous giggle

Substitutes "laugh" with "giggle", suggesting a higher-pitched, often anxious expression of amusement.

bitter laugh

Conveys a laugh tinged with resentment or pain.

dry laugh

Describes a laugh lacking warmth or humor, often cynical.

FAQs

How can I describe a laugh that doesn't sound genuine?

Instead of "strained laugh", consider using alternatives like "forced chuckle", "awkward laugh", or "insincere laugh" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does a "strained laugh" typically indicate about a character's emotions?

A "strained laugh" often suggests underlying discomfort, nervousness, or an attempt to conceal true feelings. It implies that the character is not genuinely amused and may be using laughter as a coping mechanism.

Is "strained laugh" appropriate for formal writing?

"Strained laugh" is suitable for various writing contexts, including formal writing, as long as it accurately depicts the intended emotion. The phrase is widely understood and does not contain colloquialisms.

What's the difference between a "strained laugh" and a "nervous laugh"?

While both indicate a lack of genuine amusement, a "strained laugh" emphasizes the effort and discomfort behind the laughter, while a "nervous laugh" highlights anxiety or apprehension. The best alternative depends on which facet you want to emphasize.