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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

Examples of ludicrous in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web As a ludicrous opening bid to be bargained down to something more reasonable, perhaps that demand was justified. The Editors, National Review, 3 Oct. 2024 Comfortable in front of the camera, the two actors make the ludicrous proceedings jovial enough. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024 Newer videos were more ludicrous, the renovations more fantastical, their action narrated by a droning AI voice. Ryan Broderick, WIRED, 30 Sep. 2024 View 9 Images View gallery - 9 images Fender's original Mustang Micro was an impressive little headphone amplifier for silent practice and recording – but the brand-new Plus version is a remarkable upgrade that puts a ludicrous range of tone options at your fingertips. New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ludicrous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ludicrous
Adjective
  • Marcello Hernandez and Jane Wickline also stop by as a couple that is still confusingly together, which also has some funny moments.
    Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Not everyone thinks the jokes are funny, of course.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The duplication of effort, the ridiculous hours, and the endless inefficiencies were invisible.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024
  • The man’s ridiculous splashing now awoke a strange tender feeling in Craint, such as one might feel for something dear and helpless.
    Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Reddit Reacts Reddit users were entertained by the cake's humorous message.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Others offered a more humorous take on the situation, with one writing that whether the couple picks the name for a child depends largely on what the name actually is.
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This absurd claim is an extension of their relentless obsession to remove checks and balances within our government.
    Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The three books so far are deeply romantic, gorgeously tragic, smart as hell, and written in this absurd baroque, irreverent language.
    Constance Grady, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Co-written with The Office executive producer Ben Silverman, The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin is described as a comedic retelling of the classic poem, featuring a visit from Steve Carell’s Michael Scott as Santa and narrated by Baumgartner’s Kevin Malone.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • But what begins as a simple heist quickly spirals into a chaotic adventure filled with unexpected twists and comedic mishaps.
    Patrick Frater, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But while the 118 is able to save both Celeste and her mother-in-law’s final resting place, a smug Trent trips and drops the vase, an appropriate punchline to a very silly cold open.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Read more Today's talkers Take a break from the election with these silly, happy shows.
    Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Though there are many examples that are less amusing.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Hausman notes that the algorithm does not work perfectly, and like modern chatbots, the robots sometimes fail in surprising and amusing ways.
    Will Knight, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • After a downright pathetic few weeks, the Russians regrouped—or at least got regrouped enough.
    Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The upcoming sequel to This Is Spinal Tap will be turning the pathetic knobs all the way to 11.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near ludicrous

Cite this Entry

“Ludicrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ludicrous. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on ludicrous

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