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 The idea that this will somehow prevent me from taking the equivalent of two full doughnuts – at least – is laughable. — Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2026 Track Pants Inspired by Jennifer Lawrence My closet has become laughable, and the fault lies with Jennifer Lawrence. — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 Such statements will be laughable to investors of the future, says Jeremy Grantham, co-founder of investment giant GMO. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 July 2026 Yes, the mere thought of the Red Sox as contenders is borderline laughable. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laughable

Adjective

And Widow’s Bay was, of course, very successful at alternating between scary and funny bits.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Ashton was charming, funny, ridiculously handsome, and fascinated by all things tech.

— Chuck Lorre, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Part of me feels a little bad about making people like Probyn, who are insanely talented, do such ridiculous things, but that’s sort of the gig.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026
In fact, even before the show actually starts, Bob can be exhausted, having been awake since some ridiculous hour.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of ridiculous

Adjective

Unlike ghosts, vampires have physical form and can interact directly with humans; like ghosts, vampires live forever, allowing for a humorous juxtaposition of characters from many points in time in one unhappy household.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Different views on the topic Hilton defends the ad as a humorous, provocative way to reach Californians who are dissatisfied with the state’s direction but might not ordinarily consider voting Republican.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of humorous

Adjective

Alongside Kardashian, Watts, Nash-Betts and Paulson, the series stars Teyana Taylor, Matthew Noszka and Glenn Close, who all one-up each other with deliriously absurd lines of dialogue.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
The title comes from a phrase that became part of his creative vocabulary and began appearing in sketches whenever an absurd situation called for a perfectly incredulous response.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

Ditka holds his own among the professional actors, and had a nice touch for comedic timing.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Clips from standup specials by George Carlin, Paul Mooney, Neal Brennan and Hasan Minhaj inject much needed comedic relief about American history.

— Beandrea July, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

Soon, though, Sutskever also catches the eye of Altman and his partner Elon Musk (an amusing Ike Barinholtz, nailing him).

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
There's a tricky tonal balance in treating the lawyers' gasp-inducing ruthlessness as entertaining and even amusing while also allowing its consequences to be clear.

— Linda Holmes, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

With so many of its procedural plots echoing and sometimes directly referencing real-world events, Cupertino is more substantive and less inherently silly than Elsbeth.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Almost sounds silly now, with the way the team has stumbled and bumbled its way through the first four games.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of laughable

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