1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter
a risible comment that made the whole class laugh
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Some individual justices have attempted to do so, but their explanations are often risible.
—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for risible
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
Some individual justices have attempted to do so, but their explanations are often risible.
—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for risible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risible
Adjective
-
Watching improv is reliably funny because performers work without a script.
-
But figuring out how to do all that while being funny at the same time?
Adjective
-
Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
-
This laptop can absolutely handle a ridiculous number of tabs.
Adjective
-
Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly joined Lacoste ambassador and actor Pierre Niney for the humorous promotional film, produced by Niney’s production company.
-
As the search continued, humorous posts imagining where Gracie might show up next spread across social media.
Adjective
-
The 41-year-old is still an elite NBA player, which is still an absurd reality to consider.
-
The thesis rests on a claim that would have sounded absurd a year ago.
Adjective
-
Ray had a somewhat comedic moment in the bottom of the first, taking a spill after tagging first base when recording a 3-1 putout.
-
Sandler's participation in the newlyweds' wedding ceremony comes nearly a year after the comedic actor co-starred in Happy Gilmore 2 with Kelce, who had a cameo in the sequel film.
Adjective
-
Every player with a pulse had six suitors throwing silly money around.
-
Some scenes in the movie are light and silly, including those pairing Maddie with a lesbian friend, played by Kate Berlant, who clearly loves her.
Adjective
-
Cavill, absent from the proceedings for long stretches, remains a sturdy presence as the most buff screen Sherlock ever, while Helena Bonham Carter is again reliably amusing as Enola and Sherlock’s sardonic mother Eudoria.
-
Elmosnino is an amusing villain, making his most self-serving machinations sound reasonable.
Adjective
-
Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.
-
After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
Cite this Entry
“Risible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risible. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
