unhinged laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unhinged laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a type of laughter that is wild, uncontrolled, or irrational, often conveying a sense of madness or extreme emotion. Example: "As the horror movie reached its climax, the villain erupted into unhinged laughter, sending chills down the audience's spines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

One or two balls strike her ankles, but the aim of most of the children is unhinged by their laughter.

Unicef

It unhinged Williams, and it unhinged Kushner.

The New Yorker

I am not unhinged.

Independent

The separation unhinged her.

The New Yorker

"She's truly unhinged.

The New Yorker

He seemed unhinged.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Glorious, disciplined, unhinged.

The Guardian

McKinley became unhinged.

The New York Times - Magazine

"And she is unhinged.

The New Yorker

He is unhinged.

The New Yorker

Then everything started getting unhinged.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unhinged laughter", consider the connotations of mental instability or extreme emotional distress. Ensure it aligns with the overall tone and context of your writing. If you want to emphasize joy or amusement, consider using alternative expressions like "infectious laughter" or "hearty laughter".

Common error

Avoid using "unhinged laughter" when describing simple amusement or joy. The term carries strong connotations of mental instability or extreme emotional distress, making it unsuitable for everyday situations. Instead, opt for words like "gleeful", "boisterous", or "hearty" to convey positive and controlled laughter.

Linguistic Context

Function: "Unhinged laughter" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "unhinged" modifies the noun "laughter". It indicates a specific quality of the laughter, suggesting it is uncontrolled, possibly deranged, and deviates from normal or expected expressions of amusement. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unhinged laughter" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe laughter that is wild, uncontrolled, and potentially indicative of mental instability. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English, conveying a specific quality of laughter often associated with unease or madness. While versatile, it's best to use it carefully and consciously, considering the strong connotations it carries. Due to the lack of diverse examples, its frequency and usage patterns are difficult to determine, however it is more neutral than professional, fitting in news or general writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maniacal laughter

Emphasizes the deranged or psychotic quality of the laughter.

hysterical laughter

Highlights the uncontrolled and emotional aspect of the laughter, often associated with extreme distress or excitement.

insane laughter

Directly implies a state of mental derangement or madness in the laughter.

wild laughter

Focuses on the unrestrained and chaotic nature of the laughter.

uncontrollable laughter

Emphasizes the inability to stop or regulate the laughter.

demented laughter

Suggests a severe impairment of mental faculties reflected in the laughter.

crazy laughter

A more informal way to describe laughter that seems irrational or mad.

deranged giggling

Suggests a more subdued, but equally disturbed, form of laughter.

mad laughter

A simple and direct way to describe laughter associated with madness.

lunatic cackling

Evokes an image of a crazed person producing harsh, broken sounds of laughter.

FAQs

How can "unhinged laughter" be used in a sentence?

"Unhinged laughter" is typically used to describe laughter that is wild, uncontrolled, and often indicative of madness or extreme emotion. For instance, "The villain's "maniacal laughter" echoed through the dark castle".

What are some alternatives to "unhinged laughter"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "maniacal laughter", "hysterical laughter", or "wild laughter" to describe different facets of uncontrolled or extreme laughter.

What is the difference between "unhinged laughter" and "excited laughter"?

"Unhinged laughter" suggests a loss of control and potential mental instability, while "excited laughter" simply indicates joy and enthusiasm. The former carries a darker, more disturbing connotation, while the latter is generally positive.

Is "unhinged laughter" appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "unhinged laughter" might be too informal or emotionally charged for some formal contexts. Consider the audience and purpose of your writing before using it. In some cases, more neutral or descriptive language might be more suitable.