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
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Recent Examples of risible
His risible public statements, designed to draw a spectacle, can distract from any old-fashioned corruption happening behind the scenes.
—
Dylan Scott, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
And the objections of some clerics that driving would endanger Saudi women’s moral standing were risible, given that the alternative was for Saudi women to be driven by male drivers (either in taxis or in their families’ cars) who were not members of their families.
—F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2018
As for his foreign policy revisionism, the president’s boasts are risible.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Most truly independent security professionals, however, will tell you that for most people, most of the time, the risk of falling victim to a juice-jacking attack is so low as to be almost risible.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for risible
Dylan Scott, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
And the objections of some clerics that driving would endanger Saudi women’s moral standing were risible, given that the alternative was for Saudi women to be driven by male drivers (either in taxis or in their families’ cars) who were not members of their families.
—F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2018
As for his foreign policy revisionism, the president’s boasts are risible.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Most truly independent security professionals, however, will tell you that for most people, most of the time, the risk of falling victim to a juice-jacking attack is so low as to be almost risible.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for risible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risible
Adjective
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Ramsey’s memoir is a moving, sometimes funny story about destruction, change and rebirth, told by a woman tempered by fire.—
Laurie Hertzel,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
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Roman is my kind of Virgil—chatty, funny, forgiving, sharp.—
Marina Harss,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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For the purpose of the art of the deal, the threat of a universal tariff, currently at 10% but hypothetically due to rebound to the ridiculous reciprocal rates of 30% or 40% on key allies at the end of the 90-day pause in July, is a compelling one.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
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Friday night’s outcome came down to two ridiculous shots from distance that got past one of the best goalies in the NWSL.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Director Kingsley described how the project evolved from its comedic roots.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 June 2025
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But where its genre predecessors were given 20-plus-episode first seasons to calibrate their characters’ quirks, nail down a consistent comedic tone, and get fans invested in the journey, Adults has no such luxury.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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There’s the undercurrent of politics stirring animus between the neighbors, with Canadians angered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his absurd aside saying perhaps Canada should be the 51st U.S. state.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
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The concept itself is absurd, given the modest park features.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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In his feature debut, Dupont follows the two men with a sense of empathetic detachment and an appreciation for fine detail and humorous dialogue.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
3 June 2025
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Popular posts might feature a photo with a humorous caption, an anonymous confession, or a detailed technical answer to a complex question.—
Dan Cody
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Alas, during one night siege (silly enough to not scare the little ones, even as the entire village repeatedly goes up in flames), Hiccup aims his weapon at the shape of a Night Fury (no one, we’re told repeatedly, as ever really seen one), shoots, and … what!—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 June 2025
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Still, sometimes Forrest’s demands seemed nitpicky, silly even.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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The post prompted a chorus of amusing responses from commenters.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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Instruct large language model for a quick, amusing tutorial on how to solve a Rubik’s Cube.—
Dave Altavilla,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who tells you different is a liar (and pathetic, and alone in life).—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
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The politicized fantasy and horror films by Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele are merely pathetic.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Risible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risible. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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