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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective comical differ from other similar words?

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

a comical hat

When is comic a more appropriate choice than comical?

Although the words comic and comical have much in common, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When would laughable be a good substitute for comical?

The words laughable and comical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When is it sensible to use ludicrous instead of comical?

While in some cases nearly identical to comical, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

In what contexts can ridiculous take the place of comical?

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

a ridiculous display of anger

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 comical The game became comical when Mets right fielder Travis Jankowski entered as a pitcher in the eighth. Fiifi Frimpong, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025 Not so fast, because in comical fashion, Derringer is stuck hanging from a tree, and Clarke has to climb it to help him out. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 June 2025 When the show won its sixth award of the night, for Best Comedy Series, Matheson and costar Ebon Moss-Bachrach shared a comical kiss. Avalon Hester, People.com, 26 June 2025 Also, there are many characters who could support Aira bodily: Cordelia, Lear’s favorite daughter, and also the Fool, who, in Matthew’s mind, is more and more Henry, with his broad shoulders, his comical shrug. Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • Others saw it as a humorous, if unsettling, glimpse into how AI is increasingly embedded in corporate communications.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • Mister Terrific, who is not a humorous man but is very funny because of it, gets very huffy over Superman’s jibes and storms off.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The dances don’t settle for a twist or strut when a full-bodied vibration is possible, and Easley has a penchant for that ridiculous bobbin-head chicken dance from the ‘40s or ‘50s.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • The administration had tried to argue that the plaintiffs had no standing given that the children were not born yet a ridiculous claim given that the effects would apply immediately at the moment of their birth.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • What should be a milestone celebration quickly escalates into a comedic family reunion — this time with a musical twist.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 13 July 2025
  • As events unfolded in real time, an extensive roster of AI icons began to drive what would become this comedic thriller.
    Martine Paris, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • The French super powerhouse has taken teams part since winning the UEFA Champions League crown on May 24, outscoring its foes by an absurd 21-1 margin.
    Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • From the vantage point of 2025, this appears as absurd as suggesting that women’s soccer matches should be 70 minutes instead of 90, the same as in the men’s game.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Their loyalty and love for each other is rewarded just by being cooler and funnier than anyone else around.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
  • But a journalist and the comedian swapping professions for a day or two could be funny.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • This perky, self-aware, sarcastic and downright silly show caters to both the more traditional Goodspeed audiences.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • Green Lantern is earnest and bright and, yeah, incredibly silly and a little embarrassing.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The scene was more amusing than threatening — onlookers whipped out cell phone cameras to document the sight of horses traversing the grounds.
    Jim Newton, Mercury News, 12 July 2025
  • For two-thirds of the day, as the peloton rolled through Brittany, the majority of soundbites ranged from frivolous to downright amusing.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • The double talk that is presented by both Republicans and Democrats alike is pathetic.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
  • Tehran's retaliation has, so far, been pathetic: a few missiles lobbed at an empty US base, complete with a heads-up.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

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