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
  • Why do some humorous attempts land perfectly while others fail?
    Norbert Schwarz, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Too often, humorous novels find comedy by mimicking the things that film and TV do, relying on writing that often feels like transcriptions from the screen.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The diabolical is ambiguous and often frankly sexy; the ridiculous is not.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Just by changing his gait to something ridiculous, Cleese gives his audience a moment of release from the entire world of work.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 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
  • The English dialogue for these films was often absurd and barely coherent, written to conform to the movements of the actors’ mouths.
    Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Correa’s contract contains a full no-trade clause, though any thought of the Astros moving him seems absurd.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • On paper, the script didn’t seem that funny, and the looseness of it all — the clowning, the lack of a traditional plot structure — seemed kind of slapdash.
    Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The play touches on issues of male bonding, family, reentering the dating pool, loss, grief and despair, while being very funny almost all the time.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That being said, the Ravens offense made the Colts look silly.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Barisone’s proposition was that everything that followed—months of living and working together, silly texts—was done in the shadow of that threat.
    Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • They’ve been assembled for a brain-breaker of a misfired melodrama, at first darkly amusing, before plunging headlong into soap opera-style twists and a general sense of heavy depression that no one can shake.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The obsessive neat freak beneath the easygoing surface of the virtue-signaling feminist ally might have made an amusing motif if it were ever referenced again.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • This is a complete pathetic effort by defense, offense and coaching.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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