risible

adjective

ˈri-zə-bəl How to pronounce risible (audio)
Definition of risiblenext
1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter a risible comment that made the whole class laugh

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter the idea that people are meant to have wings is risible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 risible Some in the audience find this risible. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 The public language may seem risible, but that is only a surface-level thing. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026 The risible ending lets down both actors, each of whom give it their all (especially Glusman) while the screenplay feels like there are chunks of character motivations and development tossed into the trash. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 4 July 2025 Kagame’s claims that the FDLR poses a threat to Rwanda are similarly risible. — Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for risible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risible
  1. funny
  2. ridiculous
  3. humorous
  4. absurd
  5. comedic
  6. silly
  7. amusing
  8. pathetic
Adjective
  • The end result is Murder Bites, my funny, quirky mystery that takes place in a small town where everyone is obsessed with their tiny designer dogs.
    — Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • What is sort of funny is imagining how immersion in the city’s cultural scene fits into Vanderbilt’s broader ambitions.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Some are quieter this year, some are almost ridiculous, but all of them share a strange sense of purpose.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Fashion history has a funny way of vindicating the people brave enough to look ridiculous.
    — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ridiculous
Adjective
  • Their escapade leads not only to the creation of their island paradise, Moonrise Kingdom, but a humorous wild goose chase between Suzy’s parents, Sam’s Scout troop, and the island police chief.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
  • When asked whether his dog has a favorite Bush song, Rossdale laughs before providing a humorous answer.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of humorous
Adjective
  • The roster might as well be an All-Star team, and this pitching staff is absurd.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The very idea of a trade war with Canada — our neighbor, our ally, our closest friend, a nation that’s peaceful and whose people have a reputation for kindness — is absurd.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • Mystery Men Throw it back to the Y2K era with this 1999 comedy starring a plethora of the era’s brightest comedic talents, including Ben Stiller, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofolo, and Paul Reubens.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The one comedic element Blair didn’t want to stick his neck out for?
    — William Earl, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of comedic
Adjective
  • Of course, challenges immediately present themselves, the silliest of which belongs to Samir and Paul Baker.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In practice, a black-and-white hunk of metal sprinting into a wall looks silly.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • American style can be at turns confounding, amusing, and aspirational.
    — Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Morgan Stanley’s Lisa Shalett and her team produced this amusing chart showing year-over-year percentage growth in tech capex, compared with the same for the dotcom bubble era.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of amusing
Adjective
  • The outfield production continues to be a concern, and the overall offensive production is pathetic.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Barkley got a pathetic 34% of team rushing attempts inside the 5-yard line (37th among RBs).
    — Michael Salfino, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of pathetic

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rise (to)
risible
rising
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Cite this Entry

“Risible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risible. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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