laugh off

verb

Definition of laugh offnext
as in to minimize

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of laugh off Continue reading … HOT AIR – AOC tries to laugh off 'crazy' woke era as thing of the past, but conservatives aren't amused. — FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Though Blakely was able to laugh off the mistake, the damage would be significant. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Prince William laughed off the question from Heart Breakfast hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026 The casual references to him as a billionaire, however, is one gibe that Lamont laughs off. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laugh off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laugh off
  1. minimize
  2. play down
  3. shrug off
  4. discount
  5. undervalue
  6. belittle
  7. underrate
Verb
  • While any sunscreen stick can shift your foundation or blush a bit, this one's smooth, almost primer-like texture helps minimize tugging.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 2026
  • That’s not to minimize any of these genres in the comparison, or to give any time to the laughable claim that escapist fiction is low-brow, reductive fare.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • The case, announced Friday, accuses Floris and Benavides of falsely playing down their knowledge about a laptop the Justice Department says Hunter Biden abandoned at a computer repair shop in 2019.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The Singapore Shipping Association also played down the prospect of a broad withdrawal of commercial shipping from the region, suggesting operators would instead adapt to changing trade conditions.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of play down
Verb
  • That shrugging off of the war was a common attitude among visitors to Boulevard City, organizers say.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • But Lula shrugged off those concerns and promised to work with the more conservative Congress to govern for all Brazilians.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of shrug off
Verb
  • At least one witness told cops the teen was smoking marijuana on the train when Rodriguez confronted him about it, sparking an argument, but police have since discounted that theory, sources said.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • When a buyer failed to surface, the listing was discounted and eventually shelved.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of discount
Verb
  • Meta undervalued The billionaire investor also has Meta Platforms as a core part of Pershing Square's portfolio.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Rubio promised on his visit to the region that the US was offering long-term deals in a part of the world Washington has historically undervalued.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of undervalue
Verb
  • In 2015, she was suspended for a week after a video surfaced of her yelling at and belittling a towing company employee.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The answer is not to belittle the fear, but to make visible commitments people can judge.
    — Bob Pearson, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of belittle
Verb
  • Although my favorite is the classic cookie dough, Tuffy’s Toffee is underrated.
    — Natalie Hoy, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The thing people always underrate about the 2000s is how many of us were not going to the movies to feel good.
    — Darren Franich, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of underrate

Browse Nearby Words

laughingstocks
laugh off
laughs
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Cite this Entry

“Laugh off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laugh%20off. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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