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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risible
  1. funny
  2. ridiculous
  3. humorous
  4. absurd
  5. comedic
  6. silly
  7. amusing
  8. pathetic
Adjective
  • The obligatory army of A-list funny people (Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, Dave Chappelle operating at minimal annoyingness) assembles to praise him in this two-part doc from directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
  • The spunky comedy streaming service couldn’t hit the mainstream enough to attract voters, despite some very funny programming.
    — William Earl, Variety, 8 July 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • May this child wind up miserable with nothing but her ridiculous pieces of headwear to keep her company.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
  • That ridiculous output makes the hypercar the third most powerful production vehicle in the world, trailing only the Koenigsegg Gemera, which makes 2,300 hp, and the Rimac Nevera R, which makes 2,107 hp.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 July 2026
Definition of ridiculous
Adjective
  • His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • The original intent was to show female athletes standing strong against unsportsmanlike conduct in a humorous way … nothing more.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Definition of humorous
Adjective
  • Space startup activity has been growing for years, with new companies hitting unicorn valuations at a pace that would have seemed absurd five years ago.
    — Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • That the Fendons don’t think to immediately tell their devastated adult son, Harry (Craig Roberts), that his dad is still alive is only the first delightfully absurd wrinkle in this mischievous black comedy.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of absurd
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.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of comedic
Adjective
  • Sevigny holds firm to Tatum’s hard-to-love jerkishness, which helps smooth over the serious arguments that can turn inadvertently silly (and amplifies the purely silly ones).
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
  • The post also included a sweet selfie with her two younger sons, with Mateo smiling widely and Ciro making a silly face for the camera.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • Also, the booing of every single hydration break has been surprisingly amusing every single time.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Joel David Smallbone is briefly amusing as a cranky aristocrat and the rest of the cast does what they are expected to do.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 July 2026
Definition of amusing
Adjective
  • Never in my lifetime has pathetic nostalgia for the white man’s republic been closer to the center of power.
    — Brian DeLay, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
  • Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.
    — Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Definition of pathetic

Browse Nearby Words

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 14 Jul. 2026.

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