laughable

adjective

laugh·​able ˈla-fə-bəl 

ˈlä-

: of a kind to provoke laughter or sometimes derision : amusingly ridiculous

laughableness noun

laughably

ˈla-fə-blē 

ˈlä-

adverb

Synonyms

• antic
• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• comical
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• humorous
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• riotous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Choose the Right Synonym for laughable

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth.

laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Examples of laughable in a Sentence

His attempt at skiing was laughable.

the laughable, boisterous antics of the circus clowns

Recent Examples on the Web

That might come as a surprise to some travelers, especially when the thought of relaxing can feel laughable after reckoning with airport’s infamous curbside gridlock. —Chris Dong, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

The movie’s attempt to capture the discord is contrived at best, laughable at worst. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2024

The paper our social-security cards are printed on is laughable. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

The other side: For other Democrats, the outrage has revealed a laughable double standard. —Zachary Basu, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

laughable

adjective

laugh·​able ˈlaf-ə-bəl 

ˈlȧf-

: causing laughter or scorn : ridiculous

laughableness noun

laughably

-blē 

adverb