Synonyms of comical

comical

adjective

ˈkä-mi-kəl 

1

as in humorous

causing or intended to cause laughter

the comical antics of the circus clowns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humorous
• comedic
• funny
• amusing
• comic
• ridiculous
• hysterical
• entertaining
• hilarious
• farcical
• witty
• playful
• ludicrous
• droll
• laughable
• uproarious
• screaming
• riotous
• antic
• risible
• humoristic
• sidesplitting
• chucklesome
• killing
• zany
• clownish
• slapstick
• flippant
• facetious
• whimsical
• laughing
• jocular
• merry
• diverting
• flip
• jokey
• slapsticky
• waggish
• wry
• jovial
• jolly
• campy
• mirthful
• knockabout
• jocose
• priceless
• gleeful
• smart
• rich
• smart-alecky
• smart-aleck
• pert
• mad
• jocund
• snickery
• blithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lame
• serious
• humorless
• solemn
• earnest
• somber
• tragic
• severe
• unfunny
• unamusing
• grave
• poignant
• unsmiling
• sedate
• sober
• staid
• weighty
• uncomic
• moving
• unhumorous
• touching
• sad
• unhysterical
• affecting
• sorrowful
• mournful
• no-nonsense
• tearful
• woeful
• sobersided
• lachrymose

2

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

the comical expression on his face when he realized that he had been swindled

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ridiculous
• absurd
• silly
• pathetic
• foolish
• stupid
• farcical
• ludicrous
• laughable
• unreasonable
• preposterous
• derisive
• dumb
• irrational
• incredible
• risible
• derisory
• insane
• crazy
• fantastic
• for the birds
• idiotic
• cockamamy
• inane
• nonsensical
• mad
• moronic
• asinine
• fatuous
• wacky
• unbelievable
• imbecile
• unwise
• unreal
• daffy
• witless
• jerky
• kooky
• brainless
• loony
• unrealistic
• harebrained
• inconceivable
• illogical
• nutty
• cuckoo
• simpleminded
• screwball
• cockeyed
• half-baked
• daft
• senseless
• half-witted
• balmy
• far-fetched
• weak-minded
• dotty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• solemn
• earnest
• realistic
• logical
• reasonable
• rational
• credible
• conceivable
• sensible
• believable

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

Recent Examples of comical

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

Indeed, Grozeva and Valchanov’s sly ability to shift tones from ripely comical to appalling is one of their defining features as filmmakers, along with a penchant for weird and wacky side characters. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Messi is -170 to score on DraftKings, a comical number for a final 16 match at a World Cup. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Although Louis has yet to make his Wimbledon debut, the notoriously comical royal also seems to be learning to love the game at an early age. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 July 2026