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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 Tina Fey in 30 Rock Ali Goldstein—NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Yet the hair-trigger sensitivities of audiences predisposed to judge Fey harshly have also fueled ridiculous backlashes. Judy Berman, Time, 1 May 2025 Supreme Court justice calls it 'ridiculous' Trump cuts reach climate scientists who labored for free Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY. Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 May 2025 Terrible visual effects, bad plot, ridiculous villain, a cast who mostly sleepwalk through their roles – with the exception again of Reeve, who commits to the role fully and sells the themes about disarmament even while the movie falls apart around him. Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 But while the Gemstones themselves have embraced Kelvin and his coming out, the rest of the world — particularly rival preacher Vance Simkins (Stephen Dorff), Kelvin’s competition for the ridiculous title of Top Christ-Following Man — is more critical. Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridiculous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous
Adjective
  • Once again, that means going to absurd lengths in the quest to facilitate banter between pilots, even if some of those attempts hilariously crash and burn.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 2 May 2025
  • But Stewart lived at the top of their board when on the clock at No. 17 — not just because of his 10.0 Relative Athletic Score or absurd combine workout.
    Paul Dehner Jr., New York Times, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Our strength comes from funny stories and serious ones, too.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • That’s funny to me — because back in ’09, no one would have thought that, right?
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • But many will, in situations where they’re allowed to stretch out, go deep, get silly, or eat hot wings while trying to answer questions.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • Have a Dance Party Clear the furniture, cue up a playlist with all of Mom's favorite hits (and a few silly, kid-friendly jams), and let loose.
    Laura Broadwell, Parents, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • There were humorous moments amid the writers’ accounts of tragedy.
    Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • When the slasher eventually appears, stealing the group’s car before murdering them with a humorous bluntness, there is also a real atmosphere of dread.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kenney-Silver delivers a touchingly nuanced performance as Anne, balanced on the fine line between sad as in devastated and sad as in pathetic.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
  • Marathon needs to be given every possible chance to succeed and making Bungie crunch to fix things and throwing it into the wolves as a fall release (one that’s literally on the same day as Borderlands 4, mind you) would be a pathetic excuse for support.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In the series, Cassandra is slightly younger than her counterpart in the book, and that partly had to do with Hawes, whose dramatic and comedic abilities were crucial to the role.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • In the sequel to A Simple Favor, Lively returns as Emily Nelson alongside Anna Kendrick’s Stephanie Smothers in the comedic thriller, which premiered at South by Southwest on March 7.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Rannells, who reprises his role as Stephanie's friend Darren, made headlines when promoting Another Simple Favor with an amusing dodge to a question hinting at Lively's legal dramas.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 1 May 2025
  • Braun cannot say the same for his amusing role in an instant classic Nuggets moment.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet, beyond the almost comical disclosures, one of the least memorable lines was also the most enlightening — and highlights why, despite Howe being absent for a fortnight after contracting pneumonia, Tindall has been able to seamlessly step up and take charge of first-team matters in his absence.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • This comical scene, shared to TikTok (@nikkisndsn), has racked up more than 4.7 million views in just three days (April 20).
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ridiculous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculous. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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