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 Underdog declined to comment on the matter other than to point out that the company has pulled comical stunts at the expense of members of the sports world. Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 And Björck went about demolishing his peer group to an absolutely comical level. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 May 2026 The Cougars simply punted the ball out of bounds at a near-comical level through the final 40 minutes, papercuts that bled the clock dry. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 May 2026 Similarly economical and granularly detailed is a 20-minute sequence in the middle of the film that’s gruesome, comical and crucial to the propulsion of the story. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • The title is a humorous, literal reference to the late father’s large piece of bone left after cremation.
    Jenny S. Li, Variety, 12 June 2026
  • Their viral, humorous videos about his adventures in life and their father-daughter moments are followed by more than 3 million people.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • The image qua image thereby becomes uncanny, slapstick, a bit ridiculous, a bit horrific—independent of its content.
    Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026
  • What was ridiculous was the jump at that point in time was $4 [million], $4 [million] $15 or $16 million.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Oreo challenge is one of the episode’s comedic high points.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
  • The production is a deeply personal look at her life and career, inspired by her beloved grandmother, Freddie Mae Glover, and her lifelong dream of becoming a comedic performer like her idol, Carol Burnett.
    Staff Author, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Soon my entire feed was pugs and poodles and beagles and portmanteau blends with absurd names like golden doodle and cavapoo.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Produced by Heavy Lifting Productions in association with 3 Arts Entertainment, Knighted follows a missing person’s case that spirals into an absurd documentary-style exploration of the sinister secrets lurking beneath the enchanting pageantry of a local medieval dinner theatre.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Other members of the cast contribute some sharp edges and moments that are legitimately funny.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
  • Someone’s losing their dignity, and that’s funny.
    Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • From Valentino pig hoofs to Chanel half-sandals, our feeds are full of silly, outrageous and outright ugly footwear.
    Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 12 June 2026
  • This 22-inch hopping ball has a silly face on it, available in blue or orange.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is amusing but understandable; in an era where commodity fetishism has turned analog, low-budget cinema into something aspirational, Jenkin has made no compromises for accessibility.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
  • Regal bontebok were replaced by stout warthogs, whose amusing visages quickly filled my camera roll.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Consider this pathetic phenomenon yet one more reason the American people — or, at least, Californians — should demand a more rational way to fund political campaigns.
    Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
  • After a truly pathetic opening half, the Knicks needed to give each and every row in MSG something to cheer about.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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