LUDICROUS Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'ludicrous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ludicrous are comical , comic , laughable , and ridiculous . While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn. // a thriller with a ludicrous plot

Q: When can 'comic' be used instead of 'ludicrous'?

While the synonyms comic and ludicrous are close in meaning, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement. // a comic character

Q: Where would 'comical' be a reasonable alternative to 'ludicrous'?

In some situations, the words comical and ludicrous are roughly equivalent. However, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity. // a comical hat

Q: When is 'laughable' a more appropriate choice than 'ludicrous'?

The meanings of laughable and ludicrous largely overlap; however, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter. // laughable attempts at skating

Q: When could 'ridiculous' be used to replace 'ludicrous'?

The synonyms ridiculous and ludicrous are sometimes interchangeable, but ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility. // a ridiculous display of anger

ludicrous

adjective

ˈlü-də-krəs

Definition of ludicrous next

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter the ludicrous sight of their teacher in a Halloween costume

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter a ludicrous and easily detected attempt to forge his father's signature on a note to school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ludicrous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ludicrous are comical, comic, laughable, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When can comic be used instead of ludicrous?

While the synonyms comic and ludicrous are close in meaning, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

Where would comical be a reasonable alternative to ludicrous?

In some situations, the words comical and ludicrous are roughly equivalent. However, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is laughable a more appropriate choice than ludicrous?

The meanings of laughable and ludicrous largely overlap; however, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When could ridiculous be used to replace ludicrous?

The synonyms ridiculous and ludicrous are sometimes interchangeable, but ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

Examples 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 ludicrous For most people, to even consider spending that kind of money on a pair of speakers is ludicrous. —

Verity Burns, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024 Every so often, the movie throws in an oddball novelty, a quirky touch or ludicrous tangent designed for laughs. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024 And even if the cold math is that the show was not well-watched compared to a ludicrous budget, it’s created a lot of bad blood all the same. —

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 Per Paton’s estimates, this ludicrous invention could reach around 3,600 max-rpm with a top speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) – rather quick for something that is essentially a piece of metal on a couple of wheels of extremely varied size. —

New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ludicrous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludicrous

Adjective

An Instax camera snaps photos throughout the night, the shots progressively funnier the more nog is consumed.

Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Crandell, the Harvard physiatrist, is a funny, brainy, and upbeat clinician who treats people with amputations in the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, a building overlooking Boston Harbor.

Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024