laughable

1 of 2

adjective

laugh·​able ˈla-fə-bəl How to pronounce laughable (audio)
ˈlä-
Synonyms of laughablenext
: of a kind to provoke laughter or sometimes derision : amusingly ridiculous
laughableness noun
laughably
ˈla-fə-blē How to pronounce laughable (audio)
ˈlä-
adverb

laughableness

2 of 2

noun

laugh·​able·​ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being laughable

Synonyms of laughable

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for laughable

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth.

laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Examples of laughable in a Sentence

Adjective His attempt at skiing was laughable. the laughable, boisterous antics of the circus clowns
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The idea that any college football fan who was alive in the ’90s wouldn’t know who Spurrier is is obviously laughable. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 24 June 2026 The idea that a low-wage worker can jeopardize proprietary information by taking a better job at the deli down the block would be laughable if the consequences were not so serious. — Morris M. Kleiner, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026 Frustrated at the lack of evidence and feeling the heat of the gutter press, their determination to hone in on their sole suspect would be laughable if not for the catastrophic consequences. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026 Which was widely panned for its unrealistic plot, laughable dialogue, and inexplicable plotting. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughable

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1600, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of laughable was in 1600

Rhymes for laughable

See All Rhymes for laughable

Browse Nearby Words

laugh
laughable
laughableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laughable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laughable. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

laughable

adjective
laugh·​able ˈlaf-ə-bəl How to pronounce laughable (audio)
ˈlȧf-
: causing laughter or scorn : ridiculous
laughableness noun
laughably
-blē How to pronounce laughable (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on laughable

Nglish: Translation of laughable for Spanish Speakers

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