laughing stock

NOUN

object of ridicule

Synonyms

WEAK

Aunt Sally butt dupe fair game fall guy fool goat joke laughingstock stooge target victim

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a July 4, 2013, email to Nikolic, Epstein wrote: “Bill risks going from richest man to biggest hypocrite, melinda a laughing stock, pledges will disappear as a result.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

O'Connor had followed the Jets' sorry search for a successor to legendary quarterback Joe Namath, which had turned them into a laughing stock.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2025

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye denied the incident had made the airport a "laughing stock".

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2025

In fact, he was featured in several Hollywood pictures that he wasn't interested in and felt the movies made him a laughing stock.

From Salon • Nov. 14, 2024

“Tommy,” I wanted to say to him, “you’re going to make yourself a laughing stock all over again. Imaginary animals? What’s up with you?”

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro