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
  • But she's also gotten backlash for some of her comments, including lengthy jokes about the non-binary community.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The fact that Jerri and her brother have the same name will write plenty of jokes itself, but with Chad gaining notoriety and having yet another person on his case, Jerri is sure to bring some drama and pressure his way.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of jokes
Noun
  • Some want to live vicariously through them, while others joke about the poor fools who fell for their tactics.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Pace, skill, a vicious shot, the ability to make opposition defenders look like fools.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of fools
Noun
  • Over 43,300 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russia and illegally annexed Crimea in June, July and August, according to Defense Ministry data compiled by The Associated Press, although some clearly hit their targets.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Two of Newcastle’s top summer targets went elsewhere, despite deals being in place for both.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 3 Sep. 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 6 Sep. 2026.

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