1
2

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 As is customary in the Downton universe, subplots of both the comical and dramatic variety abound. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 That’s comical even for the streaming age when 3 years is usually the absolute max. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The two small white dogs were filmed engaging in a comical standoff that ended in a joyful chase. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
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
Adjective
  • The 2016 World Series champion walked in free agency that offseason to the Philadelphia Phillies where he's produced at a ridiculous level on a perennial National League contender.
    Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Like his Washington, Bargatze’s Farnsworth regaled a trio of underlings (SNL cast members Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and James Austin Johnson) with ridiculous yet accurate predictions for the future, in this case of TV.
    Judy Berman, Time, 15 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
Adjective
  • There’s no denying that catfish noodling is an absurd sport.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Zambians are warm, funny, proud.
    Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Darkly funny and deeply melancholic, the film turns the family estate into a pressure cooker of grief, grudges and reluctant affection.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mea Culpa is Perry at his most knowingly silly, and a throwback to erotic thrillers of decades past.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
  • For every community of mass-shooter fandoms, there is another that is silly, joyous, productive, or totally harmless.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Hacking a pre-Internet console Making this amusing amalgam of past and present technology possible required some clever engineering.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • DeMarco was also entetaining with his amusing banter in between songs while encouraging his New York fans to clap and wave their arms.
    David Chiu, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The end of that era came slowly, through the pathetic collapse of Syria and Lebanon as functioning states, and then quickly, when Israel began touching Hezbollah in unexpected places.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Want the poop on this pathetic history?
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on comical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!