laughable

adjective

laugh·​able ˈla-fə-bəl How to pronounce laughable (audio)
ˈlä-
: of a kind to provoke laughter or sometimes derision : amusingly ridiculous
laughableness noun
laughably adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for laughable

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth.

laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Examples of laughable in a Sentence

His attempt at skiing was laughable. the laughable, boisterous antics of the circus clowns
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its unlikely mix of cultures seems anachronistic, even laughable at times. Armond White, National Review, 4 June 2025 Yet the climactic, very human explanation is ludicrously over-the-top for a film that doesn’t seem to revel in its own improbability, rendering that conclusion more laughable than flamboyant or knowingly funny. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 May 2025 Legal experts have derided the lawsuit as frivolous and laughable, and CBS defended the newsmagazine and its editorial judgment on First Amendment grounds. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 20 May 2025 But the concept of replacing one of the greatest tackles of all time is laughable. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for laughable

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of laughable was in 1600

Cite this Entry

“Laughable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laughable. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

laughable

adjective
laugh·​able ˈlaf-ə-bəl How to pronounce laughable (audio)
ˈlȧf-
: causing laughter or scorn : ridiculous
laughableness noun
laughably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on laughable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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