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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 This is where things start getting even more ludicrous. Dimitar 'mix' Mihov, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 The most ludicrous thing is that even Trump knows this. Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 19 Feb. 2025 That eateries would designate some sections as fit for cigarette users seems ludicrous today. Jack Butler, National Review, 26 Jan. 2025 When film culture beds down with godlessness, the ludicrous result is Conclave. Armond White, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ludicrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludicrous
Adjective
  • Not the most memorable, but Myers’s flail-laughing at his own insufferable jokes remains a pretty funny encapsulation of Musk’s self-satisfied riffing.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Know your audience—What one person finds funny, another might not.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Brendan Gallagher scored a goal in that game on the power play, taking a ridiculous feed from Andrei Markov in the slot and converting, blowing the roof off the building.
    Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Bam Adebayo only taking seven shots each in the last two games is ridiculous.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The talented cast of BET Plus’s hit show Sistas brings to life the heartfelt, relatable, and often humorous journey of modern Black women navigating love, friendship, and career.
    Noel Cody, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Gercke is quite skilled at building characters and writing humorous and poetic dialogue.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Undermining tax collections and the IRS goes hand in glove with Trump’s absurd belief that the U.S. federal government can or should try to fund itself primarily via tariffs.
    New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The more absurd or humorous examples, like the animation of Irving that plays at his funeral, can also be disconcerting.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Cheadle and Benicio del Toro are both strong in the dual lead roles, while the cast is full of ringers, from Jon Hamm to Brendan Fraser to Julia Fox in a scene-stealing comedic role.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The comedic heartbeat of the film is maintained by Julia Fox, Saweetie and Benito Skinner, who play the show-within-a-film’s judges panel.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Finally, its focus on physics means that things get silly pretty quickly, which makes for very shareable moments and clips.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Dozen Bakery off Nolensville Pike is celebrating this silliest of holidays with special pies and quiche.
    Adam Tamburin, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Blue Ghost Mission 1 is also known as Ghost Riders in the Sky, an amusing reference to a country song about ghostly cattle and cowboys.
    Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • His effort to put an amusing spin on the buyer’s remorse is certainly a cut above the anti-Musk bumper stickers that have become internet bestsellers and now adorn many a Tesla — including Cybertrucks.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Michael Gandolfini pops up as a slimy Fisk mayoral staffer who wouldn’t look out of place in this magazine’s recent cover featuring the new young right, and his playing both pathetic and vaguely sympathetic is very fun to watch.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • How to decide which of these pathetic characters will get his fading masculinity restored?
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ludicrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ludicrous. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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