Synonyms of ridiculous

ridiculous

adjective

rə-ˈdi-kyə-ləs 

1

as in absurd

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

a movie thriller with such a ridiculous plot that it gets only guffaws from audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• absurd
• silly
• pathetic
• stupid
• foolish
• unreasonable
• ludicrous
• comical
• laughable
• dumb
• incredible
• farcical
• preposterous
• irrational
• derisive
• insane
• risible
• crazy
• fantastic
• derisory
• idiotic
• for the birds
• mad
• inane
• asinine
• nonsensical
• moronic
• cockamamy
• fatuous
• unbelievable
• unwise
• unreal
• imbecile
• unrealistic
• inconceivable
• wacky
• illogical
• loony
• simpleminded
• witless
• harebrained
• jerky
• nutty
• kooky
• brainless
• daffy
• cuckoo
• senseless
• daft
• half-baked
• far-fetched
• balmy
• weak-minded
• screwball
• half-witted
• dotty
• cockeyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• earnest
• solemn
• reasonable
• logical
• realistic
• rational
• conceivable
• sensible
• credible
• believable

2

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter

a movie comedian who has perfected the ridiculous pratfall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• funny
• humorous
• comedic
• amusing
• comical
• hysterical
• comic
• ludicrous
• entertaining
• laughable
• hilarious
• farcical
• screaming
• risible
• witty
• playful
• riotous
• uproarious
• antic
• droll
• killing
• chucklesome
• sidesplitting
• humoristic
• zany
• clownish
• flippant
• merry
• slapstick
• laughing
• facetious
• flip
• diverting
• whimsical
• mad
• jokey
• jocular
• waggish
• jolly
• slapsticky
• rich
• priceless
• wry
• smart
• gleeful
• campy
• jovial
• knockabout
• mirthful
• pert
• jocose
• snickery
• smart-alecky
• smart-aleck
• jocund
• blithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lame
• serious
• humorless
• severe
• earnest
• solemn
• tragic
• unfunny
• somber
• unamusing
• grave
• staid
• sober
• weighty
• unhumorous
• poignant
• unhysterical
• unsmiling
• sedate
• sad
• moving
• uncomic
• touching
• affecting
• woeful
• no-nonsense
• sorrowful
• sobersided
• tearful
• mournful
• lachrymose

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

Recent Examples of ridiculous

Dems are twisting themselves into ridiculous positions or running away like Walz. —Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

Remember how far-off, how ridiculous that sounded? —Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026

But is that any more ridiculous than saying Kovalchuk’s 52 goals beat Selanne’s 76 in Winnipeg? —Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026

That’s a ridiculous question for me to be given. —Keir Simmons, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026