Definition of ludicrousnext
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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 While Seidler declined to clarify whether any assurance the Padres were staying put would be part of terms of the sale, the idea of the team relocating has been described by many around baseball as ludicrous. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026 Dreher is well aware that this reactionary outlook strikes many people as ludicrous. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026 Of course, the Patriots ended up holding on thanks to some ludicrous play-calling and an all-time Malcolm Butler interception. Chris Sprow, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026 In a changing world, their modus operandi is ludicrous. Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ludicrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludicrous
Adjective
  • Why the Vaping Squirrels Trend Is Dangerous The viral clips might look funny, but the reality is far less cute.
    Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The explanation is kind of funny, but also very much a seasonal sign of renewal on the barrier islands.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Kyle Tucker got a ridiculous four-year, $240 million deal from the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that’s not their fault.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Healey is clearly not a hunter and looks ridiculous trying to pretend to be one.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Gosling and Ortiz’s dynamic — equal parts humorous, tense and genuinely moving — gives the film its emotional core, providing the leading man with a scene partner who draws out some of his most spontaneous and effective acting moments.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The exaggerated, humorous tributes to his legendary toughness started in the early 2000s and went viral.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Shawn Hatosy is particularly feral here, injecting real menace into an otherwise absurd premise.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The deadpan one-liners exaggerating his strength, speed and toughness to absurd levels, turned Norris into one of the internet’s first global memes.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Buried deep in a mound of tribbles and emerging from the hairy pile of creatures, Kirk handles himself admirably, embracing the unfortunate situation with a sense of comedic calm that adds yet another humanistic dimension to the iconic captain's character.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The show also had a comedic bent to it.
    Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In retaliation, Afroman released several songs about the experience, made music videos using his security-cam footage, and generally was a silly goose about the whole thing.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • This confident Yale Rep production follows Ionesco’s lead by being very clear about its point but relentlessly silly while making it.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That might mean that us Americans are already sick of Sneako, Myron Gaines, and the rest of the loudmouthed misogynist podcast crew that Theroux struggles to comprehend in this amusing and upsetting documentary.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Featuring so many plugs for Chick-fil-A that one hopes the producers got a good product-placement fee or at least free catering for the film shoot, Plantman & Blondie might have been amusing enough as a brief sketch, although frankly even that’s doubtful.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Astin sinks into his pathetic character with full commitment, but the running gag about Ron getting more upset about the possibility of being banned from the fast-food restaurant than anything else is hammered so relentlessly that the character just seems mentally challenged.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Of course, the notes turn out to mostly be about her as well as the principal (played by Gosling), detailing their most pathetic behaviors.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ludicrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ludicrous. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.

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