laughably
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: - In a manner that is ridiculous, absurd, or so extreme as to provoke laughter or derision. - To such a degree that it seems foolish or deserving of mockery.
Usage
The adverb "laughably" is used to modify an adjective, verb, or another adverb to indicate that the quality or action is so extreme, inadequate, or incongruous that it is comical. It emphasizes the ridiculous nature of a situation or characteristic.
Examples
- The proposal was laughably unrealistic and was immediately rejected by the committee.
- He was laughably inept at basic carpentry, hammering his thumb more often than the nail.
- Their security measures were laughably easy to bypass.
- The movie's villain was laughably evil, with no believable motivation.
Advanced Usage
- "laughably small/large/inadequate": A common collocation to emphasize an extreme and ridiculous degree of size or insufficiency.
- The budget allocated for the project was laughably small.
- "laughably obvious": Used to describe something that is so clear it is almost comical that anyone could miss it.
- The plot twist was laughably obvious from the start.
Variants and Related Words
- Laughable (adjective): Deserving or provoking laughter, especially due to absurdity or inadequacy.
- The accusations were completely laughable.
- Laugh (verb/noun): The root word, referring to the action or sound of laughing.
Synonyms
- Ridiculously
- Absurdly
- Preposterously
- Farcically
Antonyms
- Reasonably
- Credibly
- Believably
- Sensibly
Idioms and Phrases
While "laughably" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is used to intensify descriptions within phrases that convey absurdity. - To be a laughable excuse/attempt: An excuse or attempt so poor it provokes scornful laughter. - His reason for being late was a laughable excuse.
Adverb
- so as to arouse or deserve laughter
- her income was laughably small, but she managed to live well