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
  • The seat is opening up because of Daines’s retirement, who chose not to run for a third term minutes before the March filing deadline to minimize the risk that Alme would attract a major challenger.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Washington and European capitals are now trying to minimize their exposure.
    — Tom Moerenhout, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • The ministry played down the significance of the incident, saying that alerts are distributed through regional and municipal systems such as sirens and loudspeakers, SMS messages and media broadcasts.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Ace Bailey added 19 points and rookie Darryn Peterson had 18 but didn't play down the stretch or in overtime.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of play down
Verb
  • Investors, however, appeared to shrug off that concern -- at least with regard to some tech giants.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Haaland shrugged off a question about her various political identities in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
    — Terry Tang, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of shrug off
Verb
  • With unbeatable comfort, support, and style, the brand offers thoughtful (and discounted) gifts Mom will actually want to wear.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2026
  • When routine conditions and genuine failures arrive with the same urgency, responders discount the signal and alert noise becomes alert fatigue.
    — Judit Sharon, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of discount
Verb
  • Lacy has heard plenty of kvetching from breeders who believe their horses to be undervalued in the book, and thereby potentially undervalued in the sale.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The price hikes were not the result of Evernote undervaluing longtime customers.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of undervalue
Verb
  • For the past three to four years, several former Black players comfortably expressed belittling views of White players.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • 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
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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laugh off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laugh%20off. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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