1
as in humorous
causing or intended to cause laughter
the farcical behavior of the troupe of circus clowns
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 farcical routine that a person has to go through to get a refund from that company
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of farcical
The Euro 2025 quarter-finals had late drama, with Italy squeezing past Norway, a comeback out of nowhere from England, and a farcical penalty shootout win over Sweden.
—
Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2025
At the heart of her tale lies an early-twentieth-century initiative that was undertaken with absolute earnestness at the time but seems almost farcical today: a multicountry effort to redirect America’s enormous influx of Jewish immigrants from Ellis Island to Galveston, Texas.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
The Ban | 2024 | United Kingdom, Ireland | Roisin Agnew | Thirty years after the IRA ceasefire in Northern Ireland, this experimental archive film looks at Margaret Thatcher’s farcical broadcasting ban that saw actors hired to dub those associated with terrorism.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025
But we are told much the same thing—that what is happening, however at once farcical and horrible, is solid, and represents the present and future.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for farcical
Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2025
At the heart of her tale lies an early-twentieth-century initiative that was undertaken with absolute earnestness at the time but seems almost farcical today: a multicountry effort to redirect America’s enormous influx of Jewish immigrants from Ellis Island to Galveston, Texas.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
The Ban | 2024 | United Kingdom, Ireland | Roisin Agnew | Thirty years after the IRA ceasefire in Northern Ireland, this experimental archive film looks at Margaret Thatcher’s farcical broadcasting ban that saw actors hired to dub those associated with terrorism.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025
But we are told much the same thing—that what is happening, however at once farcical and horrible, is solid, and represents the present and future.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for farcical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for farcical
Adjective
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The film, written by Tony McNamara (The Favourite, The Great) and directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Parents, Bombshell), also comments on the observation that Brits are inherently better at insulting each other in a way that feels humorous or light-hearted as opposed to just outright cruel.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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For example, Cleese shares the humorous anecdote about a professor who dedicated himself later in life to learning how to swim.—
Tim Maurer,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Drawing such conclusions from two, admittedly sparkling, performances is ridiculous.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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No Other Choice blends mismatched tones and genre hallmarks in a way that’s typical for Park and yet remains invigorating, leading to a ridiculous look at what happens when the system pushes a person to the very edge of desperation.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sony Pictures Television have extended the options on several key cast members of its upcoming Netflix comedic coming-of-age drama Boots, Deadline has learned.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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Splitsville, in fact, is just one of a handful of recent movies that use romantic commitment as a source of terror, comedic discomfort, or both.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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My point wasn’t that men have had a harder time than women — that would be absurd.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
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Given the already substantial spend on incoming transfers, suggesting the club needs more, possibly sending its spending past the $500 million mark, seems absurd, almost greedy.—
James Nalton,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Scattered Thoughts: The digs at 30 Seconds To Mars were funny and telling.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Ramirez described Flores as a humble, funny and caring person.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Alcaraz and Sinner are early enough in their careers that debates around their legacies feel silly.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Aug. 2025
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Evans described Steve as goofy, silly, and full of charm, with a love for food and people alike.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Despite the serious circumstances, their investigation still leaves room for Charles' comical bad acting, Oliver's zest to make a great podcast, Mabel's ability to teach them both some Gen Z lingo — and, of course, the murder board.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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An adaptation of a Stephen King short story, The Monkey is led by Theo James playing a pair of twins who are haunted by a toy that causes freak, almost comical, deaths.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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How petty and pathetic and thin-skinned could this administration get?—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
22 Aug. 2025
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Two things were completely predictable after Donald Trump’s pathetic stunt, packing the streets of Washington, DC, with National Guard members and federal agents, allegedly to combat crime.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Farcical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/farcical. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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