Synonyms of comical

comical

adjective

ˈkä-mi-kəl 

1

as in humorous

causing or intended to cause laughter

the comical antics of the circus clowns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

the comical expression on his face when he realized that he had been swindled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective comical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comical are comic, laughable, ludicrous, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is comic a more appropriate choice than comical?

Although the words comic and comical have much in common, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When would laughable be a good substitute for comical?

The words laughable and comical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When is it sensible to use ludicrous instead of comical?

While in some cases nearly identical to comical, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

In what contexts can ridiculous take the place of comical?

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

a ridiculous display of anger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of comical

The 1983 invasion of this tiny Caribbean island by the United States military may seem comical in retrospect. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025

His paranoia, played with clumsy charm by a mustachioed and bleary-eyed Leonardo DiCaprio, is half-cocked and somewhat comical. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025

Now near-constant phone usage makes this idea of mental and emotional escape almost comical. —Allison Lax, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025

The show, which ran for seven seasons from 1985 to 1992, told the comical tale of four single women living together in Miami. —Ashley Hume , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025