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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 Other pages of the menu are comical and sometimes a turnoff with graphic sketches of rattlesnake, kangaroo and buffalo, calling attention to dishes made with these unfortunate species. Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025 The comical timing of his dismissal saw Fluminense left without a coach before many other teams had even started their first league game. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 As Cortes left the mound, Yankees fans responded with a comical standing ovation. Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025 Their videos about married life and young parenthood vary between comical skits and honest reflections. Abby Howard, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • Early implementations have experienced technical glitches, such as those occasionally seen in MLB's 3D broadcasts, which sometimes led to humorous but unintended visual effects.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The off-beat ads and humorous posters have only stoked fan conversation about what, exactly, this project is and what on earth is going on with the asterisk in the title.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This hate against transgender people is so ridiculous.
    John Russell, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But just a few hours southeast of the city lived a 14-year-old named Flannery O’Connor, who thought the spectacle was ridiculous.
    Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • During a double-decker bus ride around the city, some friends get hit by tree branches and in select trailer scenes, tension turns into comedic relief.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But before things ended up in a fight, the atmosphere grew more animated when the comedic WWE faction Alpha Academy, whose members include Otis, Maxxine Dupri, and Akira Tozawa joined in on the scene to help out.
    EW.com, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This whole exercise of proving the absence of antisemitism as a prerequisite to criticizing Israeli government policy is absurd.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Still, the sexist double standards around pockets have continued to be present in absurd ways.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And makes a funny joke about giving Glenn Close an Oscar.
    Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • His being handsome, funny and not known for comedy was a real asset.
    Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This strategy worked for him for about 10 years—and then began to bore him silly.
    Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Call it luck, fate or a silly coincidence, but 4/20 and Easter Sunday fall on the same day this year.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Six books offer readers armchair travel, amusing characters, and a dash of history.
    Yvonne Zipp, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Thankfully, in the case of Mark, the reality proved to be something much more amusing.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Michael Gandolfini pops up as a slimy Fisk mayoral staffer who wouldn’t look out of place in this magazine’s recent cover featuring the new young right, and his playing both pathetic and vaguely sympathetic is very fun to watch.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • One of the most pathetic symbols of the new manosphere is Mark Zuckerberg.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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