laughingstock

American  

[laf-ing-stok, lah-fing-] / ˈlæf ɪŋˌstɒk, ˈlɑ fɪŋ- /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of laughingstock

First recorded in 1525–35; laughing + stock

Example Sentences

Indiana and Vanderbilt Derangement Syndrome: This is really driving everyone nuts, that these two former college football laughingstocks are atop the sport and not in the basement where they’re supposed to be.

From The Wall Street Journal

The backlash makes her a laughingstock and scuttles her career.

From Los Angeles Times

And Isaac’s lack of an appropriate neck accessory made him the laughingstock of a dinner party at John Jay’s house the night they were meant to sign the Declaration of Independence.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• object of ridicule