RISIBLE Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

risible

adjective

ˈri-zə-bəl

Definition of risible

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

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

Adjective

Occasionally, this appeared to be in jest (although not actually very funny).

— Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026
Mulligan should win for her darkly funny, cringe-inducing turn, though Snook, Pidgeon and sentimental favorite Field are all in play too.

— Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

The student also claimed to have only brought the knife to school to play a game with his friends with the goal being to see who could sneak the most ridiculous item on campus.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
What are the odds that the same team could both win and lose thoroughly ridiculous 10-9 games in the same week?

— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of ridiculous

Adjective

Why do some humorous attempts land perfectly while others fail?

— Norbert Schwarz, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2026
Too often, humorous novels find comedy by mimicking the things that film and TV do, relying on writing that often feels like transcriptions from the screen.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of humorous

Adjective

Every once in a while, a professional athlete will do something so absurd on the field that people will question if the athlete is from this world.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Brizé weaves between these absurd moments and two slow-simmering crises that cause Carla to begin doubting her diehard commitment to work.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

Snatch is far more clever than many similar ensemble capers, with a real nasty edge that remains comedic rather than nihilistic.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Running eight episodes, Davidson teases that The Varnell Hill Show‘s first season will be an experience like no other, giving viewers a mix of comedic bits, interviews, and live performances.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

That was a valuable lesson as the previous season, silly errors and lapses in concentration led to the side conceding goals that hamstrung their title ambitions.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Seen as silly, shrunken, and impractical, it’s considered the full-sugar Coca-Cola of jackets—all empty calories, no nutritional value.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

The show is generally amusing, sometimes very funny and easy to watch as an evolving story of family.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
That closeness, however, has made the internet’s speculation about their secret romantic arrangement particularly amusing to Bunny, who tells PEOPLE that there is no hidden relationship between the three.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

Among the performers, Smith rules the roost as the no-nonsense Angela, and Jones acquits himself tolerably on comic relief duties as the pathetic Mike.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Villarreal Villarreal’s performance in this competition last season was, frankly, pathetic.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of pathetic

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rise (to)

risible

rising

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“Risible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risible. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of risible

adjective

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