1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter
a risible comment that made the whole class laugh
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter
the idea that people are meant to have wings is risible
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of risible
But the confidence and craftsmanship invested in Crash are, ultimately, the problem, because the infuriatingly contrived screenplay and hushed seriousness conspire to produce a risible portrait of complex social issues reduced to glib plot points.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Without wanting to hurt the tender feelings of a hundred million gamers, why are the fundamentals of speech and locomotion still so risible to behold?
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025
His risible public statements, designed to draw a spectacle, can distract from any old-fashioned corruption happening behind the scenes.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
And the objections of some clerics that driving would endanger Saudi women’s moral standing were risible, given that the alternative was for Saudi women to be driven by male drivers (either in taxis or in their families’ cars) who were not members of their families.
—F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for risible
Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Without wanting to hurt the tender feelings of a hundred million gamers, why are the fundamentals of speech and locomotion still so risible to behold?
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025
His risible public statements, designed to draw a spectacle, can distract from any old-fashioned corruption happening behind the scenes.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
And the objections of some clerics that driving would endanger Saudi women’s moral standing were risible, given that the alternative was for Saudi women to be driven by male drivers (either in taxis or in their families’ cars) who were not members of their families.
—F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for risible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risible
Adjective
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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
-
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
-
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
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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
-
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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Risible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risible. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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