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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 Tina Fey in 30 Rock Ali Goldstein—NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Yet the hair-trigger sensitivities of audiences predisposed to judge Fey harshly have also fueled ridiculous backlashes. Judy Berman, Time, 1 May 2025 Supreme Court justice calls it 'ridiculous' Trump cuts reach climate scientists who labored for free Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY. Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 May 2025 Terrible visual effects, bad plot, ridiculous villain, a cast who mostly sleepwalk through their roles – with the exception again of Reeve, who commits to the role fully and sells the themes about disarmament even while the movie falls apart around him. Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 But while the Gemstones themselves have embraced Kelvin and his coming out, the rest of the world — particularly rival preacher Vance Simkins (Stephen Dorff), Kelvin’s competition for the ridiculous title of Top Christ-Following Man — is more critical. Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridiculous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous
Adjective
  • Quarterly reports delayed by years would be absurd.
    Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • While that isn't anywhere close to of being traded 10 times, being traded in four straight seasons is quite absurd.
    Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s funny about that is that Alexander appears to have some Leonard Williams to his game.
    Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Not lying and not funny, but not to be ignored either.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is one where the visual spectacle and weird fourth-wall-breaking sections stand head and shoulders above everything else, making for an extremely memorable adventure that embraces the silly side of Doctor Who.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
  • But silly things like feelings and mental health don't matter to rebellion leader Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård), who wants results at any cost.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There were humorous moments amid the writers’ accounts of tragedy.
    Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • When the slasher eventually appears, stealing the group’s car before murdering them with a humorous bluntness, there is also a real atmosphere of dread.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kenney-Silver delivers a touchingly nuanced performance as Anne, balanced on the fine line between sad as in devastated and sad as in pathetic.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
  • Marathon needs to be given every possible chance to succeed and making Bungie crunch to fix things and throwing it into the wolves as a fall release (one that’s literally on the same day as Borderlands 4, mind you) would be a pathetic excuse for support.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In the series, Cassandra is slightly younger than her counterpart in the book, and that partly had to do with Hawes, whose dramatic and comedic abilities were crucial to the role.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • In the sequel to A Simple Favor, Lively returns as Emily Nelson alongside Anna Kendrick’s Stephanie Smothers in the comedic thriller, which premiered at South by Southwest on March 7.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Also amusing is Fiona Glascott as Lady Violet, an old acquaintance of Sherlock’s who specializes officially in schooling young ladies like Clara to join British high society and unofficially in casting her imperious judgment everywhere.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And while the vision of Young, a vigorous 70 in his trademark schoolboy shorts, tie, crew socks and black shoes, is always amusing, there was nothing but serious respect for his finger-blistering playing.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet, beyond the almost comical disclosures, one of the least memorable lines was also the most enlightening — and highlights why, despite Howe being absent for a fortnight after contracting pneumonia, Tindall has been able to seamlessly step up and take charge of first-team matters in his absence.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • This comical scene, shared to TikTok (@nikkisndsn), has racked up more than 4.7 million views in just three days (April 20).
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ridiculous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculous. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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