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

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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 Although Louis has yet to make his Wimbledon debut, the notoriously comical royal also seems to be learning to love the game at an early age. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 July 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 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 Marmo sees Bruce’s life as tragical, comical but also adventurous and courageous. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for comical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for comical

Adjective

In one of the most humorous scenes in Season 2, episode 6, of The White Lotus, the Di Grasso family returns to Italy to reconnect with their roots.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
The first day used to be so chaotic and humorous in the old days, with players not knowing how to put on helmets let alone figure out shoulder pads and struggling in line drills.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of humorous

Adjective

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert wrote a ridiculous letter in Comic Sans and posted it on the team website until James came back in 2014.

— Zach Harper, New York Times, 24 July 2026
My 15-year-old will want Daniel Caesar; my 11-year-old will want Lauren Spencer Smith; and my 8-year-old will want some ridiculous kid song.

— Marah Eakin, Vulture, 23 July 2026

Definition of ridiculous

Adjective

These two otherwise unrelated arcs create a fun comedic synergy that helps each one shine that much brighter (even when serving up jokes about areas where the sun doesn’t shine).

— Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
Asked whether his first dates — sorry, podcast editions — should ideally end with a kiss of sorts gets Glassman to his stand-up act, where talk of dating etiquette and rules fill his comedic quiver.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026

Definition of comedic

Adjective

Gu-cheon is arrogant, conspicuously misplaced in the palace hierarchy, and in some sneaky ways, dryly funny, in stark contrast to co-star Roh Yoon Seo’s more determined, earnest portrayal of court lady Saeng Gang.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
That ethos bled into the script read, which saw the crew assembled take swings with the material and inject a bit more comedy into the already funny original film.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

The wonky physics can't be too wonky, because janky controls can go from amusing to annoying pretty quickly.

— Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
There’s also plenty of family time captured, including an amusing bye week trip to Manhattan — complete with a subway trip — to watch two of Emily’s brothers run the New York Marathon.

— John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

Despite the Warriors operating with a pathetic sense of self-mortification — bending over backward for the mere possibility the King might grace them with his presence — the power of friendship wasn’t enough to lure James to the Bay.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
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

Definition of pathetic

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“Comical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comical. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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