uncomfortable laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"uncomfortable laughter" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe laughter that arises from awkward or tense situations. Example: "The room fell silent after the awkward comment, only to be broken by uncomfortable laughter." Alternative expressions include "nervous laughter" and "awkward laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

There was slight, uncomfortable laughter in the room.

The New Yorker

It is certainly a book in which one gasps frequently – amid deeply uncomfortable laughter and, at times, tears.

The Guardian - Books

And yet, when I think of my husband, I don't miss the sex—" There followed a few seconds of uncomfortable laughter in the marble chambers of Olympia.

The New York Times

"The audience wants to laugh, but it's not sure, so there's a kind of uncomfortable laughter first, and then there's this real laughter.

The New York Times

After a screening, Ms. Fontaine told an audience she was surprised to discover that she had made a comedy, an apparent reference to all the earned, unearned, derisive and clearly uncomfortable laughter that her movie inspired.

The New York Times

Marylin Stasio, Variety Although Evan Cabnet's hammy direction of the first act does elicit uncomfortable laughter, the physical production is exquisite, and by the end of the act the performers have found the raw passion to leave the audience gasping... Knightley and Ryan are ravishing — and articulate — as these fierce bourgeois Macbeths, undone by their own greed and passion".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Generally, in psychology, we aren't too worried whether our participants feel odd, exposed and uncomfortable, but studying laughter may force us to try and use more natural laughing situations.

The Guardian

Now, I know among the politically correct you are not supposed to use facts that are uncomfortable (more applause and laughter).

The New York Times

The laughter was the uncomfortable kind.

The New York Times - Arts

Nervous laughter seems an uncomfortable audience response to her bigotry.

The Guardian

The kind of humor in which "The Good Night" traffics is the sort that produces smirks of uncomfortable recognition, but hardly any laughter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "uncomfortable laughter" to precisely describe situations where laughter arises from tension, awkwardness, or unease, rather than genuine amusement.

Common error

Avoid using "uncomfortable laughter" to describe situations where the laughter is simply quiet or polite. "Uncomfortable laughter" specifically denotes laughter stemming from unease, not mere restraint or lack of enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncomfortable laughter" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "uncomfortable" modifies the noun "laughter". It describes a specific type of laughter arising from feelings of unease, tension, or awkwardness. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uncomfortable laughter" effectively captures laughter born from awkwardness, tension, or unease. Grammatically sound and commonly used, as highlighted by Ludwig, it serves to indicate a reaction to uncomfortable situations rather than genuine amusement. Alternatives like "nervous laughter" or "awkward laughter" can be used to express similar sentiments with slight differences in nuance. While prevalent in news and media, careful attention should be paid to the context to ensure its accurate application. Its neutral register makes it suitable for varied writing styles, contributing to its wide usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nervous laughter

Replaces "uncomfortable" with "nervous", highlighting anxiety as the source of the laughter.

awkward laughter

Substitutes "uncomfortable" with "awkward", emphasizing the social unease associated with the laughter.

forced laughter

Replaces "uncomfortable" with "forced", indicating the laughter is insincere or strained.

strained laughter

Similar to forced laughter but highlights the tension in the situation

uneasy chuckle

Replaces "laughter" with "chuckle" and "uncomfortable" with "uneasy", softening the expression while maintaining the awkwardness.

restrained mirth

Uses more formal language to describe suppressed amusement in an inappropriate setting.

polite titter

Indicates a brief, restrained laugh that may be insincere or intended to fill an awkward silence.

half-hearted chuckle

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm or genuine amusement behind the laughter.

pained chuckle

The laughter is caused by emotional or physical pain.

subdued amusement

Indicates a quiet or restrained expression of amusement, possibly in response to something inappropriate.

FAQs

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

You can use "uncomfortable laughter" to describe a reaction to an awkward situation. For example: "The speaker's inappropriate joke was met with "uncomfortable laughter" from the audience."

What's the difference between "uncomfortable laughter" and "nervous laughter"?

"Uncomfortable laughter" can stem from various sources of unease, including awkwardness or tension. "Nervous laughter" specifically arises from anxiety or fear.

What are some synonyms for "uncomfortable laughter"?

Alternatives include "awkward laughter", "forced laughter", or "strained laughter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "uncomfortable laughter" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "uncomfortable laughter" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a clear and widely understood expression. However, consider more formal alternatives like "restrained mirth" for academic contexts.