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
• hysteric
• 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
• jolly
• mad
• gleeful
• campy
• rich
• smart
• jovial
• smart-aleck
• knockabout
• mirthful
• pert
• joky
• snickery
• jocose
• smart-alecky
• jocund
• blithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lame
• serious
• unfunny
• humorless
• earnest
• severe
• tragic
• solemn
• somber
• unamusing
• sombre
• grave
• staid
• sober
• poignant
• unhumorous
• tragical
• weighty
• sedate
• unsmiling
• 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
• foolish
• stupid
• ludicrous
• comical
• unreasonable
• farcical
• preposterous
• fantastical
• risible
• incredible
• derisive
• dumb
• irrational
• insane
• derisory
• cockamamie
• fantastic
• crazy
• idiotic
• for the birds
• inane
• moronic
• asinine
• nonsensical
• fatuous
• mad
• cockamamy
• imbecilic
• unbelievable
• imbecile
• unwise
• unreal
• inconceivable
• unrealistic
• simpleminded
• witless
• lunatic
• illogical
• harebrained
• jerky
• brainless
• loony
• whacky
• wacky
• idiotical
• nutty
• half-baked
• kooky
• daft
• senseless
• daffy
• far-fetched
• cuckoo
• weak-minded
• looney
• half-witted
• screwball
• cockeyed
• kookie
• balmy
• 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

For his managers, however, the idea of not appreciating Mac Allister’s gifts is laughable. —Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 May 2025

The administration has denied the chat contained classified information — a claim congressional Democrats have called laughable. —Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025

The 9-2 final is a laughable score, but neither side was having much fun. —Arthur Staple, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

That’s a sentence that would have been laughable just a couple of years ago. —Allison Morrow, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025