Learn English – What’s the word for laughing in a sad situation

word-choice

I don't know if it's heartless,but when I'm in a situation that is really sad(like a funeral) I always have this urge to laugh.Of course I try not to burst out in laughter but I guess it's how I cope with these things.

Is there a word that can describe this?I don't mind if it would be used for the urge,the behaviour,the feeling.I'm just really interested how to express this kind of thing without having to say that I really,really have to laugh.

Best Answer

Nervous-laughter should be a appropriate word. And in a novel I read a word painful-dimples, It sounds compatible too. But painful-dimples kind of word is not heard or seen usually.