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comic

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective comic differ from other similar words?

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

a comic character

When can comical be used instead of comic?

The words comical and comic can be used in similar contexts, but comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is it sensible to use laughable instead of comic?

In some situations, the words laughable and comic are roughly equivalent. However, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When could ludicrous be used to replace comic?

Although the words ludicrous and comic have much in common, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When might ridiculous be a better fit than comic?

While in some cases nearly identical to comic, 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 comic
Noun
Apatow cast Ansari as Randy Springs, an obnoxious comic, in his 2009 film Funny People. Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 Regarding his responsibility as an Indian comic in the global ecosystem, Das focuses on authenticity over representation. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The comic video resonated with Japan’s thirty to forty-something demographic that grew up on the pop band’s hits, topping the Billboard Japan’s video views metric for two consecutive weeks and continuing to chart in the upper ranks today. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025 There were comic, novel and video game ancillaries during the IP’s history. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comic
Noun
  • Yet the Hollywood ceremony on CBS will be hosted by a comedian, Nate Bargatze, and many of the most-talked about shows and nominees have attracted viewers with humor and humanity.
    Jair Hilburn, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • What drove Gillis to Notre Dame fandom — and what made the Irish embrace the comedian?
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Barely any other media in recent times has given me an instant shock of glee or revulsion like this absurd anarcho-cartoon being stretched and squeezed to its most grotesque and wholesome clickbait limits.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Everything from news about a deadly stampede to cartoons that lampoon Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been the subject of removal orders.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The film’s humor doesn’t necessarily translate, and the animation style doesn’t come close to the medium’s most artistic work.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The humor barely masks his fear.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Since 2022, Wysocki has established himself as social media’s favorite cast member on Make Some Noise, Dropout’s game show in which contestants are rewarded points for improvising scenes based on comedic prompts.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
  • But only the older duo of the comedic TV trio made it to the Disney post-Emmys party at Los Angeles' Vibina restaurant.
    USA Today, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Our Maple Bacon Old Fashion blends smooth Old Forester Whiskey, rich maple syrup, a touch of walnut bitters, and a crispy strip of smoky bacon.
    Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Shots fired in San Bernardino, spike strips in Van Nuys, and clashes in Santa Ana highlight a rise in confrontations between immigration agents and civilians — a trend experts warn is intensifying across Southern California.
    Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There are a lot of different kinds of reminiscing on here, humorous and serious.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
  • On stage, DeMarco projected a charismatic, likable and humorous persona that went beyond his simple attire of a baseball cap and a T-shirt.
    David Chiu, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Lily Harrison’s script is laugh-out-loud funny while staying grounded and deeply relatable.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But while the ads are laugh-out-loud funny, the product is anything but a joking matter.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Advertisement Despite his predominance in the comedy sector, the Emmys presented a high-stakes challenge for an entertainer in the midst of a big push to escape that box.
    Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The Studio Ends Big Night With Record Wins Seth Rogen closed out a huge night for Apple TV+’s The Studio, which won best comedy.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comic. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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