laughable

adjective

laugh·​able ˈla-fə-bəl 

ˈlä-

: of a kind to provoke laughter or sometimes derision : amusingly ridiculous

laughableness noun

laughably

ˈla-fə-blē 

ˈlä-

adverb

Synonyms

• funny
• humorous
• comedic
• ridiculous
• amusing
• comical
• hysterical
• comic
• hysteric
• ludicrous

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for laughable

• affable

Kids Definition

laughable

adjective

laugh·​able ˈlaf-ə-bəl 

ˈlȧf-

: causing laughter or scorn : ridiculous

laughableness noun

laughably

-blē 

adverb