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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • But the shop’s best humorous gesture is in the restroom, open to customers, who certainly want to grant a wish.
    Sarah Moreno August 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
  • From humorous and whimsical to elegant and calming, the choice is yours.
    Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • In fact, a Texas jury once found that an alligator mascot infringed the beaver, so nobody should assume a judge shares their sense of the ridiculous.
    Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout the evacuation, Olya fixates on the fact that men aged 18 to 60 are barred from leaving, all the while wearing a ridiculous big fluffy hat that seems to protect her more from the societal meltdown around her than from the cold.
    Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • So there’s something really cathartic about watching Ulf — the lowliest, most base, comedic and ludicrous of all the Targaryens and dragonriders — beating him.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But submitting an episode this low on Gabby’s signature comedic energy is keeping Williams’s strongest attributes under wraps.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and amplifier of the most absurd of MAGA’s many election-denying claims, was defeated convincingly in his bid for the GOP nomination for governor.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Those black rectangles in Study for a Black Drawing are absurd attempts at the ideal void.
    Aaron Fagan, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Sarcasm is an interesting thing because it can be viewed by some people as funny and other people as hurtful.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • A little bit funny, a lot cheesy and completely, unabashedly earnest, her Liz is — like moms everywhere — at once a perfectly ordinary woman and the center of the universe.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Every season of Strange New Worlds has featured at least one episode that emphasizes Star Trek’s silly side (and this may not be the last such outing in season four).
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The silly yellow fruit that became a part of their culture was freighted, from the start, with suggestive meaning.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Sure, the Wah-Wah on-off throttle pedal can be amusing for a short while.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This breed is a high-energy dog that's rascally, amusing and certainly vocal.
    Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 July 2026
Adjective
  • North Texas Howard WKU Northwestern Rutgers Nebraska That's a pathetic first six weeks.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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