laughingstocks

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 laughingstocks After going from perennial laughingstocks to legitimate contenders over the last two years, the Detroit Lions could be poised for their best season yet. — Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughingstocks
  1. jokes
  2. fools
  3. targets
Noun
  • Modi’s gestures, pauses and mannerisms have been turned into viral edits that turn his own words into political jokes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Even the president’s jokes about his bad jokes fell flat, and he was widely ridiculed for the comedy routine afterward.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of jokes
Noun
  • This is an ignoble war making monsters and fools out of its participants, and against the uncontrollable weapons that are dragons, everyone’s resolve is crumbling.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026
  • This game makes fools of us all.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of fools
Noun
  • An old scout has identified several key trade targets to bolster the team.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • America’s billionaires are looking for sports investments overseas, and English football is increasingly one of their favorite targets.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of targets

Browse Nearby Words

laughingstock
laughingstocks
laugh off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laughingstocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughingstocks. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on laughingstocks

Nglish: Translation of laughingstocks for Spanish Speakers

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