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 residence-style rooms make mealtimes and bedtimes easier, and the gondola access minimizes the potential for meltdowns.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Bomb threats targeted dozens of flights across Europe last week, following a string of hoaxes that forced flight diversions and left airlines scrambling to keep passengers safe and minimize disruption.
    — Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • The European Union played down expectations for an agreement anytime soon.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Definition of play down
Verb
  • Despite a brief earnings dip, the stock shrugged off the biggest tech selloff since Covid last week, a bear market in semiconductors, and renewed anxiety around interest-rate hikes, to extend its 2026 rally to 30% and a new all-time high.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Real mysteries, like what keeps Rusty in a town and a job that destroyed his family, are shrugged off with portentous metaphors about stories—who has the power to tell them, who gets to rewrite their own.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 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
  • Some of our strongest researchers would have been easy to underrate in a less structured process.
    — Shawn Zhang, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Although my favorite is the classic cookie dough, Tuffy’s Toffee is underrated.
    — Natalie Hoy, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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