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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ridiculous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ridiculous are comical, comic, laughable, and ludicrous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

When is comic a more appropriate choice than ridiculous?

The meanings of comic and ridiculous largely overlap; however, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When is it sensible to use comical instead of ridiculous?

The synonyms comical and ridiculous are sometimes interchangeable, but comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When can laughable be used instead of ridiculous?

In some situations, the words laughable and ridiculous are roughly equivalent. However, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When would ludicrous be a good substitute for ridiculous?

Although the words ludicrous and ridiculous have much in common, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

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 ridiculous Lesson learned, no more giving in to her ridiculous demands. Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025 So, what started as a steamy romance trilogy shifts into thriller territory, complete with high-speed car chases, kidnapping, and ridiculous life-or-death stakes. Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025 To put one in front of the Neil Simon Theatre is ridiculous. Brent Lang, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 This is the most ridiculous robbery ever, Mirvat thought. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridiculous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous
Adjective
  • This aspect will always cast her apart, even today, in the sense that a woman’s naked body is still perceived by audiences as something that stands out for some absurd reason, unfortunately.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Their vote to shut down the government is absurd.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Jonathan was so funny and quick-witted for such a young kid.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Having this really intense action scene, and then all of a sudden a joke, a funny moment.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Count Dracula remains a fixture in the horror genre, having been featured in movies that range from scary and sexy to silly and satirical.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Anderson’s synthesis of all of these themes, motifs, and silly gags into One Battle After Another, which saw Anderson’s biggest movie opening ever last month, shows how Pynchon’s ideas have not only aged well but are more visible and relevant.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course not, but that’s the whole point of the humorous commercial.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The video serves as a humorous response and a technical showcase following the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)’s humanoid robot demonstration.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Characters can be pathetic, and frank about their Toledo Truth Teller’s bleak prospects.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2023, American High launched a digital comedy ecosystem, creating short-form content for social media with a batch of young comedic actors that the company can then funnel through its film production pipeline.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The comedic duo became popular in the 1960s, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show 36 times, and in 2007 were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The latter character ushers in a stiff but amusing Mark Cuban cameo.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Danilovic, ever the outgoing personality, put her basketball abilities in a comical light.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The two then debuted their relationship in February 2022, first through their comical social media skits and then via a hard launch red-carpet debut at a film screening.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ridiculous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculous. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ridiculous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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