Synonyms of laughable

laughable

adjective

ˈla-fə-bəl 

1

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter

the laughable, boisterous antics of the circus clowns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

it was simply laughable to see this middle-aged, hopelessly square candidate trying to appear young and hip

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective laughable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of laughable are comical, comic, ludicrous, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When might comic be a better fit than laughable?

The synonyms comic and laughable are sometimes interchangeable, but comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When could comical be used to replace laughable?

The words comical and laughable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Where would ludicrous be a reasonable alternative to laughable?

In some situations, the words ludicrous and laughable are roughly equivalent. However, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When would ridiculous be a good substitute for laughable?

The meanings of ridiculous and laughable largely overlap; however, ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of laughable

Observations of shape, size, and color helped Carl Linnaeus catalog about 12,000 species in the 18th century—a monumental undertaking, but a laughable fraction of reality. —Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2025

This fact, too, is laughable because wouldn’t at least one person bring up the fact that Alex just pissed off the Iranians like two days ago? —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025

Both were a byword, too, for male beauty, fully alive to the almost laughable impact of their handsomeness, yet ill at ease, now and then, with their perches on the pedestal. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025

To suggest otherwise is laughable. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 18 Sep. 2025