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 What follows is a series of comical misadventures—navigating checkpoints, ruining a wedding, and even car theft—all in a desperate race to get the dove to a beauty pageant in Jerusalem. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025 Tiramisu is having a moment, and people are finding all sorts of creative, sometimes comical, ways to enjoy it. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025 His call to the Coast Guard upon sighting Humphrey resulted in a comical conversation. Helen Harlan, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Parton then got comical with a reference to a fake AI image being circulated of her being visited by a fellow country music superstar, supposedly in the hospital. Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • There can be humorous, self-deprecating responses.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • While on the podcast, Kiyoko also offered humorous insight into her summer proposal to fiancé Tilley, 37, in Mallorca after seven years of dating.
    Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But like that game, a ridiculous number of items can be used to bolster attacks in battle.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Identifying a potentially high-upside asset can lead to ridiculous value in a few months.
    Jim Root, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s been 48 years since Three’s Company brought together three zany roommates — who weren’t supposed to be living together, according to the landlord’s rules — who charmed the world with their comedic antics.
    Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Ingmar Bergman’s early-fifties soap commercials put daring methods—metafiction, animation, and even a 3-D parody—to comedic ends.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The combination of absurd temperatures, damp humidity, and having my hair stick to my neck daily was driving me insane.
    Kayla Greaves, Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Plus, who doesn’t love Nick Offerman sharing the screen with absurd facial hair?
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Anyone vaguely near the aesthetic gets christened it by fans, including Bassvictim, who were always funnier and more creative than the other modern electroclash revivalists.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The performance is funny and manic and just the right amount of sad and desperate.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The brazen, silly grandeur of the piece was astounding.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The Saturday Night Live alum's vast tattoo collection, at one point made up of around 200 pieces of body art, includes ink dedicated to his former girlfriends, as well as more silly, lighthearted designs.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Riccoboni doesn’t take himself too seriously, admitting that his science-fiction picture book serves up otherworldly tales that some might find only mildly amusing.
    Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The film tells a quietly amusing story that offers a more-than-realistic dive into one of the most iconic and thoughtful young men in world history – a man who essentially invented modern angst long before the internet existed.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Enter Claude Whelan, played by James Callis, a fine actor with a face that can contort itself into about a dozen different versions of misery and pathetic dismay.
    Brian Grubb, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Ratcheting up the pressure on the pathetic Putin will be the only way this war ends.
    Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 12 Nov. 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!