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 moment exploded online, leading to widespread memes, the CEO’s resignation, and a comical twist in which Martin’s ex Gwyneth Paltrow was hired in as a temporary spokesperson for Astronomer in a PR move to manage the fallout. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 24 Aug. 2025

The influencer, 36, has made her name online sharing the good, bad and often unavoidably comical realities of her life with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

An adaptation of a Stephen King short story, The Monkey is led by Theo James playing a pair of twins who are haunted by a toy that causes freak, almost comical, deaths. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2025

Gaining national traction The winner of owner Jeff Stehney’s Z-Man naming contest would’ve taken home a $50 gift certificate — a comical figure considering Joe’s sells $3 million worth of Z-Mans annually. —Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025