LAUGHINGSTOCK Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

laughingstock

noun

ˈla-fiŋ-ˌstäk

Definition of laughingstock

as in joke

a person or thing that is made fun of his nerdy clothes made him the laughingstock of the schoolyard

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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 laughingstock The other—the New York Knicks—have gone from the NBA's laughingstock just a decade ago to NBA champion. — Robert Reiss, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 The fundamentalist movement became a national laughingstock. — Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026 East could be a gauntlet in ’26-27 A perennial laughingstock compared to the Western Conference, the East should be fun and fierce next season. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 19 May 2026 Charlotte has long been a franchise laughingstock, dare say always. — Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughingstock

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughingstock

Noun

In their new home, the past clings to Everton; restless, a bad joke, craving more, loud, glorious.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The vice president warned during the event that her threat was not a joke.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

Set the scene Upon entering, don't let the grandiose, atrium-esque, white-marbled lobby fool you into thinking there's an ounce of formality or stuffiness here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
Anhor The Great had so many pass breakups that counting would’ve been a fool’s errand.

— Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fool

Browse Nearby Words

laughing off

laughingstock

laughingstocks

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“Laughingstock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughingstock. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of laughingstock

noun

Example Sentences

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