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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ridiculous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ridiculous are comical, comic, laughable, and ludicrous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

When is comic a more appropriate choice than ridiculous?

The meanings of comic and ridiculous largely overlap; however, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When is it sensible to use comical instead of ridiculous?

The synonyms comical and ridiculous are sometimes interchangeable, but comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When can laughable be used instead of ridiculous?

In some situations, the words laughable and ridiculous are roughly equivalent. However, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When would ludicrous be a good substitute for ridiculous?

Although the words ludicrous and ridiculous have much in common, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

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 ridiculous His first half was littered with increasingly ridiculous highlights: a lefty hook over Isaiah Hartenstein, a potpourri of 3s with hands in his face, a sarcastic stare-down after his defender tried taking a charge, followed by a pass to himself off the backboard to simplify the finish. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 May 2025 As such, Samsung owners waiting in a queue behind Pixel owners is ridiculous. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 Leaving Alexander-Arnold out of the squad for the final two games, the trophy presentation and the parade around the city on May 26 would be ridiculous. James Pearce, New York Times, 12 May 2025 Now he’s put them in the position of appearing ridiculous in order to kowtow yet again to CTU. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridiculous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous
Adjective
  • What else can be said about Judge’s absurd start to this season?
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The biggest change, however, has been in fly ball frequency - his fly ball rate is now an absurd 50.0%, higher than any 2024 MLB regular.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • His translation recognizes, here and throughout, that the original is funny and compelling enough not to need elaborate explanation, even 60 years after its debut.
    Lily Meyer, The Dial, 20 May 2025
  • That’s not to say the film isn’t funny or sweet, but that there is something much more profound and uncomfortable at its heart, and one that poses a tricky challenge for first-time filmmakers Johansson and Kamen.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Using the Graham Norton hologram to tell us that the Earth was turned to ash on May 24th, 2025 is just the right kind of silly for this show.
    Ryan Woodrow, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
  • Eurovision is still too much of a silly spectacle for some, even with JJ in it.
    Alex Marshall, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • It is meant to be instructional, philosophical, informative, uplifting, and sometimes humorous.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Galloway provides a perspective that’s at turns humorous and moving, giving new grads solid advice while entertaining them as well.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • No other governor, remember, has tried to pull off this pathetic budget stunt.
    Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
  • In his last, most pathetic years, Mark Twain threw himself behind the crackpot theory that the true author of Shakespeare’s plays may have been Francis Bacon.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The darkly comedic production kicks off Sept. 15 and runs through Nov. 8.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2025
  • But when a threat appears from which Murderbot has to save his idiot clients, the danger feels real, and the action is staged well, in a way that’s both exciting and also lightly comedic, since Murderbot is a nearly obsolete model that’s often overmatched by its robot or alien opponents.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Although the result is certainly amusing, the Darth Vader creation has also been spotted making some potentially controversial comments using Jones’ voice.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • The sketch has a great ending stinger and is very amusing throughout.
    Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • Her lessons are comical and their related excursions endearing: Santa Monica shares tips about different positions and offers pointers on incorporating toys.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2025
  • His Best Friend Still Shows Up Every Week to Watch Their Show Together (Exclusive) Noah had garbage day shirts and garbage toys, all of which were comical to Carrigan, as her husband, Noah's father, is a fireman.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 4 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ridiculous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculous. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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