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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

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 comical That suggests an almost comical misunderstanding of free trade. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025 The ornate, over-the-top nature of the piece, contrasted with the comical brevity of its time onscreen, works in tandem to launch it to the middle of the pack. 34. Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025 The song evokes an anime sci-fi world that would be merely comical if not for the moving infusion of hope and melancholy in Wayne Coyne’s vocals. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025 Marijuana, which went mainstream decades ago, is hardly worth mentioning anymore; stoners are merely later-generation drunks in the book of comical inebriation. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
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
  • As such, the Stars’ best chance is not to get into another track meet like Thursday night’s ridiculous game, won 7-4 by the Avalanche.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • Seeing Tristen accept both his mother’s request to stay in the game and the responsibility of leading his team to victory gives the ridiculous exercise that is Restaurant Wars a whole different weight.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Quarterly reports delayed by years would be absurd.
    Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • While that isn't anywhere close to of being traded 10 times, being traded in four straight seasons is quite absurd.
    Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s funny about that is that Alexander appears to have some Leonard Williams to his game.
    Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Not lying and not funny, but not to be ignored either.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But silly things like feelings and mental health don't matter to rebellion leader Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård), who wants results at any cost.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • This is one where the visual spectacle and weird fourth-wall-breaking sections stand head and shoulders above everything else, making for an extremely memorable adventure that embraces the silly side of Doctor Who.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Also amusing is Fiona Glascott as Lady Violet, an old acquaintance of Sherlock’s who specializes officially in schooling young ladies like Clara to join British high society and unofficially in casting her imperious judgment everywhere.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And while the vision of Young, a vigorous 70 in his trademark schoolboy shorts, tie, crew socks and black shoes, is always amusing, there was nothing but serious respect for his finger-blistering playing.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 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

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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