COMICAL Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

comical

adjective

ˈkä-mi-kəl

Definition of comical

as in humorous

causing or intended to cause laughter the comical antics of the circus clowns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Ripa told the audience her husband had a comical reaction to propofol, following his foot surgery last week. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2026 Herbert’s receivers have been inconsistent, too, struggling with pre-snap communication, frustrating — sometimes comical — drops and, of course, injuries. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 The project’s thoroughness would be almost comical were its subject not so stubbornly controversial, an emblem of all the contradictions embedded in who, exactly, Americans take themselves to be. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 In the second half, United’s defensive sloppiness only got worse and led to Brighton adding a second and third in almost comical fashion, gifting goals to Maxim De Cuyper and Pascal Gross in a five-minute spell. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for comical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical

Adjective

Unlike ghosts, vampires have physical form and can interact directly with humans; like ghosts, vampires live forever, allowing for a humorous juxtaposition of characters from many points in time in one unhappy household.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Different views on the topic Hilton defends the ad as a humorous, provocative way to reach Californians who are dissatisfied with the state’s direction but might not ordinarily consider voting Republican.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of humorous

Adjective

Ditka holds his own among the professional actors, and had a nice touch for comedic timing.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Clips from standup specials by George Carlin, Paul Mooney, Neal Brennan and Hasan Minhaj inject much needed comedic relief about American history.

— Beandrea July, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

This episode notably lacked any nod to Trump, though mentions of the president as a whole have been brief compared to the previous season, when the president was the show’s focal point for absurd antics.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
And Saturday’s win proved that his plan to pursue championships — something that seemed absurd amid a lost 2025 season — has a real possibility of paying off with one.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

Underneath the celebrity and the tabloid headlines is someone who’s vulnerable, funny and desperately trying to hold her life together.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
The book’s humor is sharp and merciless, akin to that of a standup comedy show, and yet the things described are far from funny.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

But seeing my parents examining themselves in that way and connecting with people and putting themselves in vulnerable and silly and meaningful situations.

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
That scene was always the silliest in the American version, and its absence in the international edition was a wise choice.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

The amusing part is that if Mahomes spoke out in support of the bill, Le Batard would almost certainly demand his silence.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Without recounting every amusing or harrowing detail, a good deal of interactive psychological grilling ensued.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of amusing

Browse Nearby Words

comic

comical

comicality

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of comical

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zenith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes