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Recent Examples of ludic
Psychologists Kolb and Kolb even gave it a name: ludic learning space.
—
Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Season two’s quests continue to be imaginative, ludic, and delightfully pointless.
—Lisa Kwon, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024
This ludic, and sometimes cruel, tradition continues today.
—Elizabeth Barber, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2022
Corsage, playing in the Un Certain Regard strand at Cannes, although a late entry to the disaffected royalty subcategory, is arguably one of the most interesting so far, much closer to the ludic, imaginative queen of the genre, Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006).
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2022
For years, app developers have tried to include fun, ludic aspects to all kinds of apps, from education to fitness.
—Elad Natanson, Forbes, 1 June 2021
After your treatment, bliss out on the Relaxation Deck, which is wrapped by a natural spring and houses a ludic therapy pool featuring hydrotherapy, cold mist, hydro jets, pressure showers, and waterfalls.
—Michelle Stansbury, Marie Claire, 3 Dec. 2020
And some notable game-makers like Firaxis Games (Civilization) and 11-Bit Studios (This War of Mine) are drawing inspiration from climate-change to craft ludic dilemmas that force players to make radical decisions in the face of overwhelming odds.
—Steven T. Wright, Ars Technica, 5 June 2020
Its hallmarks are relatively simple to describe, belying its revolutionary impact: There are the great cascades of left-hand chords, less ludic than Thelonious Monk’s surprise attacks but no less jagged or forceful.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2020
Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Season two’s quests continue to be imaginative, ludic, and delightfully pointless.
—Lisa Kwon, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024
This ludic, and sometimes cruel, tradition continues today.
—Elizabeth Barber, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2022
Corsage, playing in the Un Certain Regard strand at Cannes, although a late entry to the disaffected royalty subcategory, is arguably one of the most interesting so far, much closer to the ludic, imaginative queen of the genre, Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006).
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2022
For years, app developers have tried to include fun, ludic aspects to all kinds of apps, from education to fitness.
—Elad Natanson, Forbes, 1 June 2021
After your treatment, bliss out on the Relaxation Deck, which is wrapped by a natural spring and houses a ludic therapy pool featuring hydrotherapy, cold mist, hydro jets, pressure showers, and waterfalls.
—Michelle Stansbury, Marie Claire, 3 Dec. 2020
And some notable game-makers like Firaxis Games (Civilization) and 11-Bit Studios (This War of Mine) are drawing inspiration from climate-change to craft ludic dilemmas that force players to make radical decisions in the face of overwhelming odds.
—Steven T. Wright, Ars Technica, 5 June 2020
Its hallmarks are relatively simple to describe, belying its revolutionary impact: There are the great cascades of left-hand chords, less ludic than Thelonious Monk’s surprise attacks but no less jagged or forceful.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludic
Adjective
-
Hudson’s performance kicks into a surprising dramatic gear, the actress’s playful Milwaukee accent settling into a relatively somber key, grappling with dreams dashed.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
-
From minimalist finishes to playful graphics and elevated textures, these manicures set the tone for the year ahead, proving that short nails aren’t a fallback—they’re the focus.—
Kat Suico,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dozens of Dilbert books were published over 30 years, including anniversary compendiums and humorous self-help guides, like 1998’s The Joy of Work.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The new teaser starts off serious and somber, much like the past trailers for Captain America, Thor and the X-Men, but then has a humorous moment when the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) introduces himself to M’Baku (Winston Duke).—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Over the decades the band’s music has moved steadily toward the kind of classic rock that punks once professed to hate — think of Led Zeppelin, think of Aerosmith, go ahead and think of Boston — while Grohl has taken up the role of jocular frontman with a gusto approaching that of David Lee Roth.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2026
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Entire families, with kids and dogs, took their holiday portraits — not with a jocular Santa, but with a snarling Krampus, standing in front of an Alpine forest backdrop.—
Deena Prichep,
NPR,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Often, though, the clutter is the point, and you’re smacked with temperamental textures that channel the flippant streak of plunderphonics.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The prosecutors were flippant in dismissing the SEC’s questions.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
His posture is authoritative without being imposing, his voice warm without being facetious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Powell was, of course, being facetious, as the low-quality videos featured the actor as a teen running and jumping in the street and lip-syncing to the song while wearing a yacht captain’s hat.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Seductively kittenish, Gardner lives up to her profane reputation.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2023
-
Madelyn Cline went full-on Old Hollywood bombshell, kittenish liner, polished lengths, and all.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Ludic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ludic. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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