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 Still, comical moments were sprinkled throughout the ceremony. Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 The idea of a high schooler’s biggest problem being choosing between a high-profile basketball game and the callbacks for a literal high school musical is obviously comical. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026 Watch Parton’s comical 80th birthday message on Instagram below. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2026 Lisa’s fate was ignominious—thousands of unsold units were literally buried in a Utah landfill, an almost comical end for such a historically significant machine. Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • Moses Moody went for a more humorous approach when remembering Macklin’s time around Golden State.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
  • By Jenny Lawson Jenny Lawson shares candid, humorous, and heartfelt strategies for navigating depression, anxiety, and ADHD while staying creative and resilient.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • My child comes home from her other parent’s house with stories that sound absolutely ridiculous.
    Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The sheer display of athleticism and creativity of a dunk with zero props or especially push-offs will always impress me more than someone who pushes off, even seeing just how ridiculous and difficult that dunk is.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Jesse Jackson, the trailblazing civil rights icon, also had comedic chops.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
  • His account, delivered with his signature comedic flair, carried an unmistakable undercurrent of genuine terror.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Over the past week, a slew of cinematic videos of celebrities and characters in absurd situations have gone viral online, with one commonality –– they were created using a new artificial intelligence tool from Chinese developer ByteDance, sparking anxiety over the fast-evolving capabilities of AI.
    Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
  • What was turbulent and confused in me came out as absurd and ornate in him.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The builders’ alternating harassment and bribery leaves Cook with little recourse, especially when mafioso-like representatives begin dropping by at all hours, leading to dry exchanges — what little dialogue the film has is extremely funny.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
  • This Elvis comes across confident, breezy, comfortable and funny.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Maybe the Pac-12 and Mountain West will look silly for not buying in, then watch as the NFC West bids against the Premier League and Marvel Cinematic Universe for the Hornets.
    Jason Kirk, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Since then, the fizzy dance challenge has exploded on TikTok, with tons of fans re-creating the clip’s silly dance moves in their kitchens, parking garages, living rooms, Times Square and hospital corridors.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Weekly, Weber and Finger have kept reliable and amusing tabs on the ever-expanding universe of Whos and dissected the increasingly jumbled celebrity hierarchy.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
  • In his gobsmacking third appearance in the franchise, Tommy continues to be the victim of, well, not just Jason Voorhees, but somewhat amusing coincidence as well.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • For a film such a this to arrive in a FIFA World Cup year is a stark reminder of the entwinement between soccer and corruption, and De Pauw’s performance as Mayor Dumont — a man inclined to compartmentalize and pass the buck — is wonderfully pathetic.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
  • These clowns don't even have the courage of their pathetic White supremacist convictions.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on comical

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