Synonyms of laughable

laughable

adjective

ˈla-fə-bəl 

1

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter

the laughable, boisterous antics of the circus clowns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• funny
• humorous
• comedic
• ridiculous
• amusing
• comical
• hysterical
• comic
• hysteric
• ludicrous
• entertaining
• hilarious
• farcical
• risible
• screaming
• witty
• playful
• droll
• uproarious
• riotous
• antic
• killing
• chucklesome
• sidesplitting
• humoristic
• clownish
• zany
• flippant
• slapstick
• laughing
• merry
• facetious
• diverting
• flip
• waggish
• whimsical
• jocular
• jokey
• slapsticky
• wry
• priceless
• jolly
• mad
• gleeful
• campy
• rich
• smart
• jovial
• smart-aleck
• knockabout
• mirthful
• pert
• joky
• snickery
• jocose
• smart-alecky
• jocund
• blithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lame
• serious
• unfunny
• humorless
• earnest
• severe
• tragic
• solemn
• somber
• unamusing
• sombre
• grave
• staid
• sober
• poignant
• unhumorous
• tragical
• weighty
• sedate
• unsmiling
• sad
• unhysterical
• moving
• touching
• uncomic
• affecting
• woeful
• no-nonsense
• sorrowful
• sobersided
• tearful
• mournful
• lachrymose

2

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

it was simply laughable to see this middle-aged, hopelessly square candidate trying to appear young and hip

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ridiculous
• absurd
• pathetic
• silly
• foolish
• stupid
• ludicrous
• comical
• unreasonable
• farcical
• preposterous
• fantastical
• risible
• incredible
• derisive
• dumb
• irrational
• insane
• derisory
• cockamamie
• fantastic
• crazy
• idiotic
• for the birds
• inane
• moronic
• asinine
• nonsensical
• fatuous
• mad
• cockamamy
• imbecilic
• unbelievable
• imbecile
• unwise
• unreal
• inconceivable
• unrealistic
• simpleminded
• witless
• lunatic
• illogical
• harebrained
• jerky
• brainless
• loony
• whacky
• wacky
• idiotical
• nutty
• half-baked
• kooky
• daft
• senseless
• daffy
• far-fetched
• cuckoo
• weak-minded
• looney
• half-witted
• screwball
• cockeyed
• kookie
• balmy
• dotty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• earnest
• solemn
• reasonable
• logical
• realistic
• conceivable
• credible
• rational
• sensible
• believable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective laughable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of laughable are comical, comic, ludicrous, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When might comic be a better fit than laughable?

The synonyms comic and laughable are sometimes interchangeable, but comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When could comical be used to replace laughable?

The words comical and laughable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Where would ludicrous be a reasonable alternative to laughable?

In some situations, the words ludicrous and laughable are roughly equivalent. However, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When would ridiculous be a good substitute for laughable?

The meanings of ridiculous and laughable largely overlap; however, ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of laughable

What's laughable is the NBA and NFL's recent attempts to support social causes the exact opposite of the daily onslaught of gambling ads that care not about the consequences of addiction. —James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025

The early rankings were laughable at best, such as Etiwanda’s girls, the two-time defending state champions, being ranked No. 17. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025

The idea that Canadians, in any signifiant number, want to be the 51st member of the United States of America is laughable. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025

The Chinese foreign ministry responded to that move last week by calling the bans laughable. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 19 Dec. 2024