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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ludicrous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ludicrous are comical, comic, laughable, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When can comic be used instead of ludicrous?

While the synonyms comic and ludicrous are close in meaning, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

Where would comical be a reasonable alternative to ludicrous?

In some situations, the words comical and ludicrous are roughly equivalent. However, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is laughable a more appropriate choice than ludicrous?

The meanings of laughable and ludicrous largely overlap; however, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When could ridiculous be used to replace ludicrous?

The synonyms ridiculous and ludicrous 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 ludicrous Roofman is by turns ludicrous and sincere, proof that Cianfrance can expand beyond straightforward melodramas without sacrificing intimacy. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025 The premise of The Senior probably would be tossed out at every studio for being totally ludicrous. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025 There’s one scene involving a dead body that is just beyond ludicrous even for this show. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 Can’t take a punch The other ludicrous statement from Gronkowski about the Chiefs was their inability to deal with adversity. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ludicrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludicrous
Adjective
  • Jonathan was so funny and quick-witted for such a young kid.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Having this really intense action scene, and then all of a sudden a joke, a funny moment.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That is a ridiculous expectation to lumber on such a young player, but then this is one of the few times that one of football’s child stars — a name everyone has known for years — seems not only worth the hype, but at ease with it.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The piling on of hurdles, unforeseen challenges, and calamities is almost ridiculous.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course not, but that’s the whole point of the humorous commercial.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The video serves as a humorous response and a technical showcase following the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)’s humanoid robot demonstration.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This aspect will always cast her apart, even today, in the sense that a woman’s naked body is still perceived by audiences as something that stands out for some absurd reason, unfortunately.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Their vote to shut down the government is absurd.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2023, American High launched a digital comedy ecosystem, creating short-form content for social media with a batch of young comedic actors that the company can then funnel through its film production pipeline.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The comedic duo became popular in the 1960s, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show 36 times, and in 2007 were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Count Dracula remains a fixture in the horror genre, having been featured in movies that range from scary and sexy to silly and satirical.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Anderson’s synthesis of all of these themes, motifs, and silly gags into One Battle After Another, which saw Anderson’s biggest movie opening ever last month, shows how Pynchon’s ideas have not only aged well but are more visible and relevant.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The latter character ushers in a stiff but amusing Mark Cuban cameo.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Characters can be pathetic, and frank about their Toledo Truth Teller’s bleak prospects.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ludicrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ludicrous. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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