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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
Dear Pepper is an advice-column comic by Liana Finck. Liana Finck, New Yorker, 5 June 2025 Lee would write a synopsis of an issue and send it to an artist, who would then interpret it into a comic. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
Adjective
Bittersweet humor: Comedians Ralph Barbosa and René Vaca bring The Butterfly Effect Tour to the Kravis Center in downtown West Palm Beach on Friday at 7 p.m. The original tour was to include comic Ken Flores, who died in January of a heart attack at age 28. Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025 Generations so any story, screen or comic, has taken place prior to that. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for comic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comic
Noun
  • As Pride Month 2025 comes to a close, a new couple just took to Instagram to make their relationship official: movie star Elliot Page and Overcompensating actor and comedian Julia Shiplett.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 30 June 2025
  • The legendary actor, director, comedian and producer, who turns 99 on June 28, 2025, kicked off his career in comedy by helping fellow funnyman Sid Caesar with hisYour Show of Shows.
    Alex Apatoff, People.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Igor Jesus, one of the breakout stars of the Club World Cup, celebrates his goals by imitating a character from a Japanese cartoon.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • The show received mixed to positive reviews for the storyline that reimagines the cartoon character come to life in modern day New York.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Builders are reclaiming their contexts, their humor, their memories.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Her warmth and humor and affection stayed hidden behind a wall of invulnerability.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Largely, comedic multi-hyphenates who have gone on to enduring careers in front of and behind the camera.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 June 2025
  • The comedic sci-fi film from Amazon MGM Studios follows Gosling, whose character makes a leap from unassuming teacher to an astronaut assigned to a risky space mission.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • It will be built on top of the old Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport’s air strip, surrounded by wetlands.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
  • In other fast food news, Buck reported that Taco Bell launched crispy chicken strips in three new items on Tuesday, June 17.
    Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • In her recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday, June 24, the actress shared a humorous story about her children's reaction to her mullet haircut for the film.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • There were humorous suggestions to get round the problem, such as clitch, but none caught on.
    David Crystal June 27, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • There’s something about his ability to be both hypersensitive and judgmental, ambitious and full of self-doubt, dark and laugh-out-loud funny that has influenced my writing and thinking.
    Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
  • Loosely inspired by Skinner’s own experience, the eight-episode series strikes a difficult balance tonally, from laugh-out-loud funny to poignant to incredibly embarrassing and everything in between.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • The comedy was first announced in 2024 and recently premiered at Cannes 2025.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 23 June 2025
  • Some say Hollywood has given up on comedy, but comedy should never give up on Hollywood, despite better incentives being offered elsewhere.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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