hilarious

adjective

hi-ˈler-ē-əs How to pronounce hilarious (audio)
Definition of hilariousnext
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter hilarious cartoons that the whole family can enjoy the clown's hilarious antics

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hilarious Speaking of the players, the two Irish twin sisters emerged as standouts at the end of the season with their hilarious telepathy pig bit in episode 9 and their touching performance at Mae’s memorial in the finale. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 Douglas, 82, has just published an incredibly dishy, wildly entertaining, at times both hilarious and painful new memoir, One Helluva Ride. — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 Garfield's performance is both hilarious and truly unsettling. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 There’s a 10-minute monologue in the middle of the movie that few actors could pull off as compellingly, a rant that’s hilarious, enraging, triumphant, and resigned in equal measures. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hilarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hilarious
  1. funny
  2. humorous
  3. comedic
  4. amusing
  5. comical
  6. ridiculous
  7. comic
  8. hysterical
Adjective
  • Underneath the celebrity and the tabloid headlines is someone who’s vulnerable, funny and desperately trying to hold her life together.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The book’s humor is sharp and merciless, akin to that of a standup comedy show, and yet the things described are far from funny.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Absurd and darkly humorous drama, offering an unconventional take on aging, loneliness and human dignity.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The production design is excellent, the humorous details of Vision’s metaphorical manse and the externalization of computer processes clever.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of humorous
Adjective
  • Drexler’s comedic sensibility was shaped, early on, by the vaudeville acts that performed in movie theatres in between screenings.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Their ascent on YouTube included a 2025 comedic boxing match between Andrijasevic and Al-Emad, titled Hamzah vs Martin and held in Toronto over three rounds.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of comedic
Adjective
  • The amusing part is that if Mahomes spoke out in support of the bill, Le Batard would almost certainly demand his silence.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Without recounting every amusing or harrowing detail, a good deal of interactive psychological grilling ensued.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of amusing
Adjective
  • This monster is a twisted version of the ideal parent, a collection of traditional maternal impulses pushed to almost comical extremes.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Beneath the serious exchange of ideas there was romance as well—at times tragic and at other times comical.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of comical
Adjective
  • Just two friends being completely ridiculous and enjoying life.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The casting was essential because the film only works if everyone commits completely to this ridiculous situation.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of ridiculous
Adjective
  • Technology fans don’t despair, there’s still the 8-inch touchscreen, but this too features more of Belgian comic artist Jean-Luc Delvaux’s work.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This isn’t an epic work but a compilation of comic sketches tied together with heavy thematic string.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of comic
Adjective
  • Washington, a compelling performer, also is asked to be hysterical a bit too much.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In Colorado, Deputy Mattie Walker makes a welfare check and discovers the body of a young mother with her hysterical toddler nearby.
    — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of hysterical

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hilarious
hilariousness
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Cite this Entry

“Hilarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hilarious. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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