LAUGHABLE Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'laughable' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of laughable are comical , comic , ludicrous , and ridiculous . While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter. // laughable attempts at skating

Q: When might 'comic' be a better fit than 'laughable'?

The synonyms comic and laughable are sometimes interchangeable, but comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement. // a comic character

Q: When could 'comical' be used to replace 'laughable'?

The words comical and laughable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity. // a comical hat

Q: Where would 'ludicrous' be a reasonable alternative to 'laughable'?

In some situations, the words ludicrous and laughable are roughly equivalent. However, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn. // a thriller with a ludicrous plot

Q: When would 'ridiculous' be a good substitute for 'laughable'?

The meanings of ridiculous and laughable largely overlap; however, ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility. // a ridiculous display of anger

laughable

adjective

ˈla-fə-bəl

Definition of laughable

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter the laughable, boisterous antics of the circus clowns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter it was simply laughable to see this middle-aged, hopelessly square candidate trying to appear young and hip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective laughable differ from other similar words?

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

laughable attempts at skating

When might comic be a better fit than laughable?

The synonyms comic and laughable are sometimes interchangeable, but comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When could comical be used to replace laughable?

The words comical and laughable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Where would ludicrous be a reasonable alternative to laughable?

In some situations, the words ludicrous and laughable are roughly equivalent. However, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When would ridiculous be a good substitute for laughable?

The meanings of ridiculous and laughable largely overlap; however, 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 laughable Frustrated at the lack of evidence and feeling the heat of the gutter press, their determination to hone in on their sole suspect would be laughable if not for the catastrophic consequences. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026 Which was widely panned for its unrealistic plot, laughable dialogue, and inexplicable plotting. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 Besides the glowing green Riddler trophies, one of the game’s many other collectibles are audio tapes of therapists and doctors speaking with various asylum patients, and some of these conversations are downright laughable. — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 In this environment, the notion that any Pac-12 expansion candidate would prompt one of its media partners (CBS, The CW and USA Network) to offer enough revenue to satisfy current members approaches laughable. — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughable

Adjective

Sarcasm is an interesting thing because it can be viewed by some people as funny and other people as hurtful.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
A little bit funny, a lot cheesy and completely, unabashedly earnest, her Liz is — like moms everywhere — at once a perfectly ordinary woman and the center of the universe.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

The ridiculous part was that, for a long time, people thought that a protective garment would need to look like full-plate armor in order to offer meaningful protection.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
Personally, this idea that the woke nonsense is just an outmoded relic of the past is ridiculous.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of ridiculous

Adjective

Meanwhile, in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and amplifier of the most absurd of MAGA’s many election-denying claims, was defeated convincingly in his bid for the GOP nomination for governor.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Those black rectangles in Study for a Black Drawing are absurd attempts at the ideal void.

— Aaron Fagan, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

The other presidents had some semblance of comedic appreciation, whether through cynicism, irony, sarcasm, joke-telling, joke appreciation or storytelling.

— John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Rhys is a rare double nominee at the Emmys this year, as he was recognized for both his comedic performance on Widow’s Bay and his dramatic turn on The Beast in Me.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

But to make some generalization that all career women are psychotic because Glenn Close happened to be psychotic at the end of that movie is just silly.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Residents riding on two wheels in Overland Park might see some new silly signs along the city’s most popular paths and trails.

— Taylor O'Connor August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of silly

Browse Nearby Words

laugh

laughable

laughableness

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“Laughable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laughable. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of laughable

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