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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ludicrous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ludicrous are comical, comic, laughable, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When can comic be used instead of ludicrous?

While the synonyms comic and ludicrous are close in meaning, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

Where would comical be a reasonable alternative to ludicrous?

In some situations, the words comical and ludicrous are roughly equivalent. However, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is laughable a more appropriate choice than ludicrous?

The meanings of laughable and ludicrous largely overlap; however, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When could ridiculous be used to replace ludicrous?

The synonyms ridiculous and ludicrous are sometimes interchangeable, but ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ludicrous When Rick Moranis' Dark Helmet orders his ship, Spaceball One, to travel past ridiculous speed to ludicrous speed, the display signs light up on the bridge. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 14 June 2025 This is ludicrous: The only debate is whether to measure the dead in the thousands, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands. Nicholas Kristof, Mercury News, 3 June 2025 Overpriced and under-equipped, it was hamstrung by everything from uncompetitive technology to a ludicrous name. Mark Phelan, USA Today, 2 June 2025 This drink, as described by 007 himself, is ludicrous. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ludicrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludicrous
Adjective
  • Well its funny to say this to Forbes — but the fashion system is financially small but culturally a very potent front of western supremacy.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Make funny faces, play peek-a-boo, take them for a walk around the neighborhood.
    Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • But her physical discomfort, brain fog, and financial stress had made the idea of writing a novel seem ridiculous.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
  • That's already a ridiculous amount of kitchen, but Lifestyle doesn't actually stop there.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Others saw it as a humorous, if unsettling, glimpse into how AI is increasingly embedded in corporate communications.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • Mister Terrific, who is not a humorous man but is very funny because of it, gets very huffy over Superman’s jibes and storms off.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Rich and influential adults enjoyed Lear’s company, but Lear himself preferred making mischief for children, telling absurd stories and drawing impossible creatures.
    Caroline Carlson June 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
  • Traditionally, a show truck of this caliber would be fitted with an absurd array of chrome lightbars, air horns and blingy accessories but that would be counterintuitive to the vehicle’s mission.
    Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • The comedic sci-fi film from Amazon MGM Studios follows Gosling, whose character makes a leap from unassuming teacher to an astronaut assigned to a risky space mission.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 30 June 2025
  • Largely, comedic multi-hyphenates who have gone on to enduring careers in front of and behind the camera.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • One of Netflix’s big movie plays for July is the sequel to its very silly but very fun action fantasy film The Old Guard.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
  • None of that, however, excuses the silly and juvenile behavior of the Assembly’s majority Democrats last week when the chamber took up a resolution commemorating Pride month.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • The amusing interaction comes a few days after Plum appeared to urge referees to give Clark, 23-years-old, a technical foul for stepping onto the court during the Sparks' game against the Indiana Fever on Thursday, June 26.
    Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • Although many other theories were quite amusing on social media.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, the squad needs to shift strategies and Sonny is here to take them from pathetic to aggressive.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • Jarvis’ performance is transformative, making Mark both pathetic and feverishly alive, his corrosive remorse seemingly genuine.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ludicrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ludicrous. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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