laughable

adjective

laugh·​able ˈla-fə-bəl 

ˈlä-

: of a kind to provoke laughter or sometimes derision : amusingly ridiculous

laughableness noun

laughably

ˈla-fə-blē 

ˈlä-

adverb

Synonyms

• antic
• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• comical
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• humorous
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• riotous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Choose the Right Synonym for laughable

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth.

laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Examples of laughable in a Sentence

His attempt at skiing was laughable.

the laughable, boisterous antics of the circus clowns

Recent Examples on the Web

The organization that, for the longest time, was the laughable losers of pro sports. —Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025

In a short while, such programs will be viewed as laughable anachronisms; a few years later, as dangerous rip-offs worthy of elaborate progressive consumer protections. —Ryan Craig, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

That would have been laughable only a couple of months ago with Houston being a must have in any break connected to a Stroud rookie card. —Larry Holder, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

But raising starting wages from $13 to $21 is laughable. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

laughable

adjective

laugh·​able ˈlaf-ə-bəl 

ˈlȧf-

: causing laughter or scorn : ridiculous

laughableness noun

laughably

-blē 

adverb