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 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 Each installment feels like a fever dream of absurd fear mongering about crime, meant to hype Knightscope’s brand of high-tech surveillance and divorced from reality in unintentionally comical ways. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 June 2026 But for all the manosphere poking and parodying, Kyle University isn’t solely there to gather laughs or generate comical confusion. Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 June 2026 Marmo sees Bruce’s life as tragical, comical but also adventurous and courageous. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • In July, Roku made the city even more interactive with a new brand campaign that guides users to visit six themed areas featuring humorous promo spots, including a pirate ship, a volcano and a villain’s evil lair.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Black Seed writers are abrasive, wistful, humorous, and loaded with insight.
    The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • That was, frankly, ridiculous, and our coverage said as much, arguing that this deep dive into one of Hollywood’s most notorious genre disasters deserved a much wider release.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
  • Its predecessor, No Way Home, mixed up good and bad guys from three different iterations of the Spider-Man franchise for a ridiculous phantasmagoria of clanging action figures.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Adjective
  • The series continues its winning blend of high-octane action choreography and comedic friction between elite wealth and police bureaucracy.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The actor used his newfound clout to make 2006’s Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, a movie based on his comedic two-man rock outfit with Kyle Gass.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
Adjective
  • Open the requisition on a Monday and the number is already absurd.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Their air of slightly absurd quasi-spontaneity is nicely amplified by the jittery yet unobtrusive rhythms of the direction and Yost’s editing.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 July 2026
Adjective
  • Gu-cheon is arrogant, conspicuously misplaced in the palace hierarchy, and in some sneaky ways, dryly funny, in stark contrast to co-star Roh Yoon Seo’s more determined, earnest portrayal of court lady Saeng Gang.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • That ethos bled into the script read, which saw the crew assembled take swings with the material and inject a bit more comedy into the already funny original film.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Adjective
  • Kind of a silly riddle, but what’s life if not a little silly.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Ranking titanic figures from different eras might be a fruitless and silly exercise to some, but this type of debate is also the one thing sports is supposed to be.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Adjective
  • The wonky physics can't be too wonky, because janky controls can go from amusing to annoying pretty quickly.
    Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
  • There’s also plenty of family time captured, including an amusing bye week trip to Manhattan — complete with a subway trip — to watch two of Emily’s brothers run the New York Marathon.
    John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • Despite the Warriors operating with a pathetic sense of self-mortification — bending over backward for the mere possibility the King might grace them with his presence — the power of friendship wasn’t enough to lure James to the Bay.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
  • Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.
    Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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