RIDICULOUS Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ridiculous

adjective

rə-ˈdi-kyə-ləs

Definition of ridiculous next

as in absurd

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter a movie thriller with such a ridiculous plot that it gets only guffaws from audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter a movie comedian who has perfected the ridiculous pratfall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 ridiculous Cormac’s refusal to die not just after a swift camogie stick to the head but after falling off a cliff is exactly as ridiculous as the moment requires. —

Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024 If that wasn't ridiculous enough, the following internet pile-on was so rabid Bieber reached out to Gomez to ask her fans to stop sending her death threats. —

Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2024 Jumba is a loving, friendly, and ridiculous goofball who adores cuddles, cheese, and being his most dramatic self. —

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 Injury updates The revolving door in John Worley’s training room has spun at a ridiculous pace lately. —

Michael Russo, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ridiculous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous

Adjective

Still, last week’s win over the Titans was the Colts’ first by more than a touchdown, so laying eight points on the road is a little absurd.

Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024
His relationships are often disastrous, his experiences with Vedanta comically absurd, and his obviously difficult personality never really disappears.

The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2024