1
as in humorous
causing or intended to cause laughter
the farcical behavior of the troupe of circus clowns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 farcical
That his was an almost farcical and shambolic attempt at an autogolpe does not change the gravity of what happened.
—
Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
An upstairs-downstairs work of historical fiction with a premise farcical enough to fuel an Oscar Wilde play seems like a solid first step toward the genre.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
If slapstick comedy uses the body as an elastic tool to heighten the farcical elements of a moment, transforming even the most prosaic exchange, what Byrne is doing is its antithesis.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
California’s farcical Fast Food Council perfectly encapsulates everything that is wrong with this state’s governance.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for farcical
Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
An upstairs-downstairs work of historical fiction with a premise farcical enough to fuel an Oscar Wilde play seems like a solid first step toward the genre.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
If slapstick comedy uses the body as an elastic tool to heighten the farcical elements of a moment, transforming even the most prosaic exchange, what Byrne is doing is its antithesis.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
California’s farcical Fast Food Council perfectly encapsulates everything that is wrong with this state’s governance.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for farcical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for farcical
Adjective
-
In the early 1990s, Stuart Smalley's humorous affirmations on SNL highlighted the power of self-coaching, a concept supported by psychologist Ethan Kross, who suggests that addressing oneself in the second person can alleviate anxiety and improve problem-solving by fostering a broader perspective.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The unexpected may have a humorous twist.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The meme may have been ridiculous, but Edward Hospital’s original goal — showing the public what robotic surgery could do — reached an audience far larger than a hospital marketing department could have planned for.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Villa’s ridiculous finishing hot streak ended abruptly, but their underlying numbers had also regressed during that time.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Pickles frequently appear in comedic settings, from cartoon characters struggling with oversized jars to absurd internet memes celebrating the eccentricity of pickle enthusiasts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In this darkly comedic action thriller from director Ben Wheatley (High-Rise, FFF 2016) and the writer of John Wick, Bob Odenkirk stars as a new sheriff whose simple assignment unravels after a botched robbery proves that everything in the quiet town of Normal, Minnesota, is anything but!—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Which is an absurd list of options for a kid who barely played high school ball.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The question of whether California should abolish property taxes almost seems absurd.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Why the Vaping Squirrels Trend Is Dangerous The viral clips might look funny, but the reality is far less cute.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The explanation is kind of funny, but also very much a seasonal sign of renewal on the barrier islands.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And the hour-long results that premiere on the platform Friday are a mix of the cerebral and silly that audiences have come to expect from the Problemista filmmaker and former Saturday Night Live writer.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Now, though, to look only at coaches with UNC already on their resume would be silly.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Kaplan has commanding, comical moments throughout the play but shines in one of the play’s most memorable.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Getting a 50-pound dog up the ladder is comical, though.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The politicians who shut down the government are pathetic on both sides of the aisle.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Farcical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/farcical. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
