laughingstock

[ laf-ing-stok, lah-fing- ]

noun

1. an object of ridicule; the butt of a joke or the like:

   His ineptness as a public official made him the laughingstock of the whole town.

Word History and Origins

Origin of laughingstock¹

First recorded in 1525–35; laughing + stock

Example Sentences

Moreover, she was neither a pitiful fool nor a mere laughingstock.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year at this time, Oakland was baseball’s laughingstock, but although there’s still plenty of turmoil surrounding the Athletics’ planned moves to Sacramento and Las Vegas, their on-field performance hasn’t been too bad.

From Seattle Times

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots rallied for a 34-28 overtime victory, which made Atlanta a national laughingstock.

From Seattle Times

Trump was at it again last week, at his most recent rally in Green Bay, Wis., claiming the United States is a global laughingstock.

From Los Angeles Times

Lopez quickly became a laughingstock on TikTok following the release of her musical film “This Is Me... Now: A Love Story,” which critics described as “confusing” and straight up ludicrous.

From Salon

Related Words

• object of ridicule