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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ridiculous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ridiculous are comical, comic, laughable, and ludicrous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

When is comic a more appropriate choice than ridiculous?

The meanings of comic and ridiculous largely overlap; however, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When is it sensible to use comical instead of ridiculous?

The synonyms comical and ridiculous are sometimes interchangeable, but comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When can laughable be used instead of ridiculous?

In some situations, the words laughable and ridiculous are roughly equivalent. However, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When would ludicrous be a good substitute for ridiculous?

Although the words ludicrous and ridiculous have much in common, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

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 ridiculous Amid Wildfire Crisis Game Changer The Bottom Line Too ridiculous to be much fun. Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025 Sending random cartoon images with ridiculous captions is perhaps an honest mistake. Chris Westfall, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 The quintessential looter-shooter returns this year, delivering zany alien enemies, intense co-op action, and a ridiculous number of collectible guns. Gabriel Zamora, PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025 Abusing someone’s wife because their husband hasn’t scored a goal in a specific game is ridiculous. Art De Roché, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ridiculous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous
Adjective
  • Courts should continue to quickly reject his absurd, insulting, and ahistorical legal arguments, which violate the clear text of the 14th Amendment.
    Elizabeth Wydra and Nina Henry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Ironically, its only real payoff is its surreal magnitude of Drake-centricity (down to casting a look-alike), which largely ends up being absurd and hilarious thanks to events entirely outside of the film’s purview.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The scene perfectly captures the absurdity of Toya throwing a party for her first Birkin—made even funnier by the group’s collective indifference.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Here is a clip of Roy Keane saying something funny about Tranmere.
    Rory Smith, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This Sabrina is silly and effusive and a tad bit privileged.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Discussing Oscar voters in the context of the American electorate has always struck me as a little silly.
    Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The film takes viewers through her journey, filled with humorous and heartfelt moments, from open mic nights at comedy clubs to glamorous charity events, all set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City.
    Veronica Villafañe, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The Acid Comedy of Thomas Schütte: In a MoMA retrospective filled with humorous angst, the German sculptor offers a prime 2025 resolution: Don’t run from failure.
    Laurel Graeber, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Something drastic has to be done with this pathetic group of men masquerading as basketball players.
    Ticked Off, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
  • On Vanderpump Rules, this man was smug, pathetic, punchable.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The British queen won fan affection and RuPaul's admiration for her stunning looks on the runway and comedic prowess, including a fan-favorite Snatch Game impersonation of U.S. President Donald Trump.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • But the visual jokes are dense and the look works for the setting and comedic ethos, reflecting the junky tourist-trap aesthetic that Mumolo and Wiig celebrate.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • And, gosh, what is the deal with the rest of their graduating class (including a desperately funny Kelly McCormack, whose animus toward Agnes is both understandable and very amusing)?
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Rogan found this amusing given Harris’s prior public support for cannabis reform but speculated her prosecutorial record on marijuana offenses might have influenced this decision.
    Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His boisterous persona was more comical than confrontational, a hot-air balloon of strutting pomposity punctured by his family.
    Jim McKairnes, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The notion of the Pistons beating anybody — literally, anybody — a year ago would have been comical.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near ridiculous

Cite this Entry

“Ridiculous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculous. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ridiculous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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