COMICAL Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of comical are comic , laughable , ludicrous , and ridiculous . While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity. // a comical hat

Q: When is 'comic' a more appropriate choice than 'comical'?

Although the words comic and comical have much in common, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement. // a comic character

Q: When would 'laughable' be a good substitute for 'comical'?

The words laughable and comical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter. // laughable attempts at skating

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ludicrous' instead of 'comical'?

While in some cases nearly identical to comical , ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn. // a thriller with a ludicrous plot

Q: In what contexts can 'ridiculous' take the place of 'comical'?

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

comical

adjective

ˈkä-mi-kəl

Definition of comical

as in humorous

causing or intended to cause laughter the comical antics of the circus clowns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter the comical expression on his face when he realized that he had been swindled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective comical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comical are comic, laughable, ludicrous, and ridiculous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is comic a more appropriate choice than comical?

Although the words comic and comical have much in common, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When would laughable be a good substitute for comical?

The words laughable and comical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When is it sensible to use ludicrous instead of comical?

While in some cases nearly identical to comical, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

In what contexts can ridiculous take the place of comical?

The synonyms ridiculous and comical 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 comical On Saturday, the singer and comedian had published a comical video where Tree was seen playing soccer in a Brazilian neighborhood. — ABC News, 15 June 2026 The content creator has garnered over 2 million followers across platforms by posting comical skits about the workplace, framing office culture as relatable and all too accurate. — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026 But for all the manosphere poking and parodying, Kyle University isn’t solely there to gather laughs or generate comical confusion. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 June 2026 Each installment feels like a fever dream of absurd fear mongering about crime, meant to hype Knightscope’s brand of high-tech surveillance and divorced from reality in unintentionally comical ways. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for comical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical

Adjective

His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
The original intent was to show female athletes standing strong against unsportsmanlike conduct in a humorous way … nothing more.

— Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026

Definition of humorous

Adjective

Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
This laptop can absolutely handle a ridiculous number of tabs.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026

Definition of ridiculous

Adjective

Ray had a somewhat comedic moment in the bottom of the first, taking a spill after tagging first base when recording a 3-1 putout.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Sandler's participation in the newlyweds' wedding ceremony comes nearly a year after the comedic actor co-starred in Happy Gilmore 2 with Kelce, who had a cameo in the sequel film.

— Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

Cavill, absent from the proceedings for long stretches, remains a sturdy presence as the most buff screen Sherlock ever, while Helena Bonham Carter is again reliably amusing as Enola and Sherlock’s sardonic mother Eudoria.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
Elmosnino is an amusing villain, making his most self-serving machinations sound reasonable.

— Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.

— Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026

Definition of pathetic

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“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of comical

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