LUDICROUS Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of ludicrous are comical , comic , laughable , and ridiculous . While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn. // a thriller with a ludicrous plot

Q: When can 'comic' be used instead of 'ludicrous'?

While the synonyms comic and ludicrous are close in meaning, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement. // a comic character

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

In some situations, the words comical and ludicrous are roughly equivalent. However, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity. // a comical hat

Q: When is 'laughable' a more appropriate choice than 'ludicrous'?

The meanings of laughable and ludicrous largely overlap; however, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter. // laughable attempts at skating

Q: When could 'ridiculous' be used to replace 'ludicrous'?

The synonyms ridiculous and ludicrous are sometimes interchangeable, but ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility. // a ridiculous display of anger

ludicrous

adjective

ˈlü-də-krəs

Definition of ludicrous

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter the ludicrous sight of their teacher in a Halloween costume

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter a ludicrous and easily detected attempt to forge his father's signature on a note to school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ludicrous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ludicrous are comical, comic, laughable, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When can comic be used instead of ludicrous?

While the synonyms comic and ludicrous are close in meaning, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

Where would comical be a reasonable alternative to ludicrous?

In some situations, the words comical and ludicrous are roughly equivalent. However, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is laughable a more appropriate choice than ludicrous?

The meanings of laughable and ludicrous largely overlap; however, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When could ridiculous be used to replace ludicrous?

The synonyms ridiculous and ludicrous 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 ludicrous So there’s something really cathartic about watching Ulf — the lowliest, most base, comedic and ludicrous of all the Targaryens and dragonriders — beating him. — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 The idea of manufacturing on the moon isn’t ludicrous, says Patrick Suermann, a professor of construction science at Texas A&M University, who recently visited SpaceX’s Starbase headquarters in Texas. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026 Yes, Missouri still played a tough schedule because of their conference games, but to act as though the Big Ten only won a National Championship because of non-conference schedules is ludicrous. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 In this World Cup, referees have often stopped the match on multiple occasions to check VAR for offside, sometimes issuing rulings that fans and teams consider ludicrous. — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ludicrous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludicrous

Adjective

The results are sexy and funny, strange and gorgeous, personal and political, unconcerned with taboo or traditional structure.

— Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
The Royals’ bat boy comes in and out of view, but there are two funny moments.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Their escapade leads not only to the creation of their island paradise, Moonrise Kingdom, but a humorous wild goose chase between Suzy’s parents, Sam’s Scout troop, and the island police chief.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
When asked whether his dog has a favorite Bush song, Rossdale laughs before providing a humorous answer.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of humorous

Adjective

The Appalachian Trail is absolutely brutal The distance alone is obviously absurd, but mileage is only part of what makes the AT such a beast.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
The selection process does not judge whether a study is admirable or absurd, good or bad.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

Mystery Men Throw it back to the Y2K era with this 1999 comedy starring a plethora of the era’s brightest comedic talents, including Ben Stiller, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofolo, and Paul Reubens.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
The one comedic element Blair didn’t want to stick his neck out for?

— William Earl, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

Playing the part largely for laughs, Moore actually has more in common with Lazenby than Connery; his Bond is softer and sillier than the original, an approach Moore would double down on in later films — often to the chagrin of Bond purists.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
For Lance Oppenheim, Primetime’s DNA resides inside a silly Cameo video.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

That closeness, however, has made the internet’s speculation about their secret romantic arrangement particularly amusing to Bunny, who tells PEOPLE that there is no hidden relationship between the three.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
American style can be at turns confounding, amusing, and aspirational.

— Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

Billboards along Southern California freeways have broadcast the Angels’ desperate attempts to draw in fans via pathetic promotions.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The outfield production continues to be a concern, and the overall offensive production is pathetic.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of pathetic

Browse Nearby Words

ludic

ludicrous

ludicrousness

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“Ludicrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ludicrous. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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