1
2

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 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 The level of mayhem feels perfectly ripped from the films, especially the recent Daniel Craig tenure, although with some more ludicrous feats that harken back to the slapstick elements of earlier entries. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025 Gilbert has always made hay from her own blind spots and ludicrous proclivities. Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ludicrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludicrous
Adjective
  • What follows is a dramedy that is simultaneously an anthropological examination of the film industry’s denizens and a disturbing — though often very funny — look at the fragility of identity in that world.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025
  • My idea of funny is the English say the craziest things with a straight face.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This is the most ridiculous robbery ever, Mirvat thought.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Summarize Text – Get a quick overview of a long email, article or contract and understand those ridiculous ‘Terms of Service’ agreements.
    Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Barkov is the opposite of Tkachuk in personality, never the one with the humorous postgame quote or engaging TV soundbite.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The duo, who are known for their original and often humorous dance routines, will be repped by UTA across digital, theater and scripted (co-represented with Curtis Brown).
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But the true spectacle, his essence, is watching Hardy barge to an absurd-but-revealing 485 yards after contact and what that’s creating.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
  • This remake is most curious for the contrast—Cervantes’ novel is thought to be the first realist piece of literature, where Rushdie’s update is decidedly absurd.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In a 1972 Esquire interview, the writer Harold Brodkey pressed her to examine her comedic sources.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The comedic cross-country car film, which rescued the reputation of the envelope-pushing company after back-to-back duds National Lampoon's Movie Madness and National Lampoon's Class Reunion, represented a kind of maturation for the brand.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This dance party for toddlers and preschoolers is packed with silly puppets, cheerful songs, and endless smiles!
    Sarah Z. Sleeper, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
  • And why that silly jacket in the middle of June?
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The latter character ushers in a stiff but amusing Mark Cuban cameo.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Fleury gave a typically amusing answer when asked about the chants of one more year.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 28 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ludicrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ludicrous. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ludicrous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!