Definition of comicalnext
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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 Aston Martin should be well poised to fight for midfield positions during this weekend’s Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, something that just a race or two ago would’ve sounded comical. Jerry Perez, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026 Since the product's release, countless shoppers have taken to social media and the brand's website to leave comical reviews. Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 And yet, besieged by the same afflictions of greed, self-interest and a comical inability to work together, horse racing is doing its damndest to similarly mess up its very good thing. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026 The breaking of silence in a tipsy twilight, if only for the sake of comical nonsense, can be as blessed as the break of dawn. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • This year's Ig Nobel Prizes — which are awarded for humorous, yet thought-provoking research — have been announced, but not on their home turf.
    Ari Daniel, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some of Sami’s videos also were humorous and self-deprecating.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The student also claimed to have only brought the knife to school to play a game with his friends with the goal being to see who could sneak the most ridiculous item on campus.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • What are the odds that the same team could both win and lose thoroughly ridiculous 10-9 games in the same week?
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Snatch is far more clever than many similar ensemble capers, with a real nasty edge that remains comedic rather than nihilistic.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Running eight episodes, Davidson teases that The Varnell Hill Show‘s first season will be an experience like no other, giving viewers a mix of comedic bits, interviews, and live performances.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Every once in a while, a professional athlete will do something so absurd on the field that people will question if the athlete is from this world.
    Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Brizé weaves between these absurd moments and two slow-simmering crises that cause Carla to begin doubting her diehard commitment to work.
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Occasionally, this appeared to be in jest (although not actually very funny).
    Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Mulligan should win for her darkly funny, cringe-inducing turn, though Snook, Pidgeon and sentimental favorite Field are all in play too.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That was a valuable lesson as the previous season, silly errors and lapses in concentration led to the side conceding goals that hamstrung their title ambitions.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Seen as silly, shrunken, and impractical, it’s considered the full-sugar Coca-Cola of jackets—all empty calories, no nutritional value.
    Irene Richardson, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The show is generally amusing, sometimes very funny and easy to watch as an evolving story of family.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • That closeness, however, has made the internet’s speculation about their secret romantic arrangement particularly amusing to Bunny, who tells PEOPLE that there is no hidden relationship between the three.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Among the performers, Smith rules the roost as the no-nonsense Angela, and Jones acquits himself tolerably on comic relief duties as the pathetic Mike.
    Caspar Salmon, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Villarreal Villarreal’s performance in this competition last season was, frankly, pathetic.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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