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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 Interviewed for the doc, Bush also supplies its most comical moments, intentionally or not. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2025 From there, the audience is ushered into this new world through a series of fun and breezy, and sometimes comical, sequences that fill in the plot. Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025 Star Lee reveals the scene almost had a more comical quality at the beginning. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 13 June 2025 In the first movie, Weathers’ character met a comical demise (by falling out of a window after Happy surprised him with the body of the alligator who bit off his hand) and later made an appearance from heaven. Jack Smart, People.com, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for comical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical
Adjective
  • Donkey provided comic relief, pathos and friendship to Shrek, with the film praised for its humorous twist on fairy-tale tropes.
    Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
  • This humorous and heartfelt novel traces a decade in the couple’s life together — and Coralie’s own journey toward self-discovery.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Modern women, embodied as a ridiculous but scary Martian, were challenging the status quo and pushing back against the patriarchy, the poor men who must defeat the alien threat.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Right now, Walmart has it for $998, that’s a ridiculous $2,000 off the usual $2,999 price point.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • While Graham’s channel is comedic in nature, the results are no joke.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025
  • While the tone is comedic, the clip taps into a collective unease: the guilt many feel for stepping away from their screens on a quiet Friday afternoon, even when the workday is winding down.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • My point wasn’t that men have had a harder time than women — that would be absurd.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Given the already substantial spend on incoming transfers, suggesting the club needs more, possibly sending its spending past the $500 million mark, seems absurd, almost greedy.
    James Nalton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Charlie Brown has evolved into something nicer In those days, Charles M. Schulz’s comic and its characters were meaner, the humor darker (and, frankly, funnier).
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Adam Johnson, The Orphan Master’s Son Set in contemporary North Korea, this epic, harrowing, and darkly funny novel follows a man caught in a totalitarian machine.
    Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Similar to the first film, families will enjoy silly slapstick mixed with great chemistry between Lohan and Curtis, who are just as good together.
    Katie Grant, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Here’s a look at the four silliest awards of the night.
    Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Many years have passed, and when the three return home for their mother’s third wedding, each sister is dysfunctional in her own distinct, often amusing way.
    Gracie Wiener, Air Mail, 16 Aug. 2025
  • One of the people who took notice of Sanders' standout performance was Browns general manager Andrew Berry, who congratulated the rookie on his NFL debut and shared an amusing exchange with him in the process.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s more pathetic than those who keep selling that myth?
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Kamala has lied for years about their pathetic job growth, which has never been real.
    Meg Kinnard, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

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