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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 The Crochet angle is completely ridiculous given that Boston cannot put together consistent starts behind him in the rotation. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025 The duo’s previously-mentioned, fan-favorite smoked short rib pastrami croissant—indulgent, ridiculous, perfect—was a natural fit. Lela London, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Although Angelenos know this is ridiculous, the courts have, for now, sided with Trump that this deployment of troops on U.S. soil is within his power. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025 After looking at this man for a moment or two, John remarked not on the smell or on the ridiculous Santa hat the man wore but on his hands. David Sedaris, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridiculous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous
Adjective
  • Rich and influential adults enjoyed Lear’s company, but Lear himself preferred making mischief for children, telling absurd stories and drawing impossible creatures.
    Caroline Carlson June 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
  • Traditionally, a show truck of this caliber would be fitted with an absurd array of chrome lightbars, air horns and blingy accessories but that would be counterintuitive to the vehicle’s mission.
    Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • But a journalist and the comedian swapping professions for a day or two could be funny.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
  • Make funny faces, play peek-a-boo, take them for a walk around the neighborhood.
    Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • One of Netflix’s big movie plays for July is the sequel to its very silly but very fun action fantasy film The Old Guard.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
  • None of that, however, excuses the silly and juvenile behavior of the Assembly’s majority Democrats last week when the chamber took up a resolution commemorating Pride month.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Mister Terrific, who is not a humorous man but is very funny because of it, gets very huffy over Superman’s jibes and storms off.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Others saw it as a humorous, if unsettling, glimpse into how AI is increasingly embedded in corporate communications.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The double talk that is presented by both Republicans and Democrats alike is pathetic.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
  • Tehran's retaliation has, so far, been pathetic: a few missiles lobbed at an empty US base, complete with a heads-up.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • As events unfolded in real time, an extensive roster of AI icons began to drive what would become this comedic thriller.
    Martine Paris, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • What should be a milestone celebration quickly escalates into a comedic family reunion — this time with a musical twist.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • The amusing interaction comes a few days after Plum appeared to urge referees to give Clark, 23-years-old, a technical foul for stepping onto the court during the Sparks' game against the Indiana Fever on Thursday, June 26.
    Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • Although many other theories were quite amusing on social media.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hackman, Perrine and Beatty add a comical touch to all of their scenes.
    Martin Gold, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
  • The film was always going to be a giant undertaking, but an almost comical series of unfortunate events had curtailed it into becoming one of the most expensive pictures Hollywood had ever produced… long before Burton even joined the project.
    Rance Collins, IndieWire, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ridiculous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculous. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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