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
  • There’s some comedy mixed in, but the show never reduces the monsters Bobby and Romy are dealing with to jokes.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
  • Taco Bell has long been the butt of jokes about its menu causing intestinal concerns.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 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
  • Recruits, which are what attendees are called, are brought through different sets from the show and are given missions, such as shooting an airsoft gun at targets and searching a sheriff’s office for clues.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
  • Record-breaking viewership and attendance have led to historic revenue targets.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on laughingstocks

Nglish: Translation of laughingstocks for Spanish Speakers

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