Synonyms of ludicrous

ludicrous

adjective

ˈlü-də-krəs 

1

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter

the ludicrous sight of their teacher in a Halloween costume

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

a ludicrous and easily detected attempt to forge his father's signature on a note to school

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ludicrous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ludicrous are comical, comic, laughable, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When can comic be used instead of ludicrous?

While the synonyms comic and ludicrous are close in meaning, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

Where would comical be a reasonable alternative to ludicrous?

In some situations, the words comical and ludicrous are roughly equivalent. However, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is laughable a more appropriate choice than ludicrous?

The meanings of laughable and ludicrous largely overlap; however, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When could ridiculous be used to replace ludicrous?

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

a ridiculous display of anger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ludicrous

This is ludicrous: The only debate is whether to measure the dead in the thousands, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands. —Nicholas Kristof, Mercury News, 3 June 2025

Overpriced and under-equipped, it was hamstrung by everything from uncompetitive technology to a ludicrous name. —Mark Phelan, USA Today, 2 June 2025

This drink, as described by 007 himself, is ludicrous. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 May 2025

In the most ludicrous, the detectives drive through narrow streets chasing Kat, Marlon and Hugh, who are trying to outrun them on rental bikes. —Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025