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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 This is frankly ridiculous — the film is all about how the system, even when functioning perfectly, will surely fail us. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025 An amaryllis bulb naturally grows long floppy leaves, staking them upright would look ridiculous. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025 What ridiculous lyrics, but what a payoff. Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025 Using a sound machine while camping might seem ridiculous, but there’s nothing too ridiculous for parents desperate for a decent night’s sleep. Jenny Wiegand, Outside, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridiculous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous
Adjective
  • There’s no denying that catfish noodling is an absurd sport.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Barely any other media in recent times has given me an instant shock of glee or revulsion like this absurd anarcho-cartoon being stretched and squeezed to its most grotesque and wholesome clickbait limits.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Zambians are warm, funny, proud.
    Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Darkly funny and deeply melancholic, the film turns the family estate into a pressure cooker of grief, grudges and reluctant affection.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Many kids find repeating these phrases satisfying, or silly, or just plain fun to say, Estevez says.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 8 Sep. 2025
  • There are no silly games being played.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • TikTok users flooded the comments with emotional and humorous reactions.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • One humorous video created by comedian Jon Lajoie depicts Jesus sparring with the Easter Bunny in a podcast.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The end of that era came slowly, through the pathetic collapse of Syria and Lebanon as functioning states, and then quickly, when Israel began touching Hezbollah in unexpected places.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Want the poop on this pathetic history?
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The comedic murder-mystery series following three unlikely neighbors — Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) — who bond over their obsession with true crime podcasts.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Cranston also received three nominations for his comedic work on Malcolm in the Middle, landing nods for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2002, 2003, and 2006.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Fletcher and Jolly win audience love here, and Allen’s naked ambition to become sheriff is quite amusing.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
  • This is amusing but understandable; in an era where commodity fetishism has turned analog, low-budget cinema into something aspirational, Jenkin has made no compromises for accessibility.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Prince Louis is… rambunctious and comical, while Princess Charlotte is calm, steady and very proper in every aspect of her demeanor.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • As is customary in the Downton universe, subplots of both the comical and dramatic variety abound.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ridiculous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculous. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ridiculous

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