ridiculous

adjective

rə-ˈdi-kyə-ləs How to pronounce ridiculous (audio)
Definition of ridiculousnext
1
as in absurd
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter a movie thriller with such a ridiculous plot that it gets only guffaws from audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter a movie comedian who has perfected the ridiculous pratfall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ridiculous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ridiculous are comical, comic, laughable, and ludicrous. While all these words mean "provoking laughter or mirth," ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

When is comic a more appropriate choice than ridiculous?

The meanings of comic and ridiculous largely overlap; however, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When is it sensible to use comical instead of ridiculous?

The synonyms comical and ridiculous are sometimes interchangeable, but comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When can laughable be used instead of ridiculous?

In some situations, the words laughable and ridiculous are roughly equivalent. However, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

When would ludicrous be a good substitute for ridiculous?

Although the words ludicrous and ridiculous have much in common, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

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 ridiculous Which is why there’s something slightly ridiculous about the whole idea of comparing performances or art. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026 Patently ridiculous, of course. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2026 The run-up to the Academy Awards is a fun, ridiculous, and loopy monthslong stretch. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 Would including them make the cause look ridiculous? —Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ridiculous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculous
  1. absurd
  2. funny
  3. silly
  4. humorous
  5. pathetic
  6. comedic
  7. stupid
  8. amusing
Adjective
  • Shawn Hatosy is particularly feral here, injecting real menace into an otherwise absurd premise.
    — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The deadpan one-liners exaggerating his strength, speed and toughness to absurd levels, turned Norris into one of the internet’s first global memes.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • Accidentally running face-first into your mom’s butt is funny, no matter your species.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2026
  • At work, while reporting near a looming tornado, Clark meets Floyd (played with a touching, funny pathos by David Harbour), a sign-language interpreter.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • In retaliation, Afroman released several songs about the experience, made music videos using his security-cam footage, and generally was a silly goose about the whole thing.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • This confident Yale Rep production follows Ionesco’s lead by being very clear about its point but relentlessly silly while making it.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • Butler went for a mix of serious and humorous in his statement on the pickup.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The two American stars, the reason for Hulu to be giving this one a push, are both very good, using their respective comic personae to humorous effect but not schtick.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of humorous
Adjective
  • Astin sinks into his pathetic character with full commitment, but the running gag about Ron getting more upset about the possibility of being banned from the fast-food restaurant than anything else is hammered so relentlessly that the character just seems mentally challenged.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Of course, the notes turn out to mostly be about her as well as the principal (played by Gosling), detailing their most pathetic behaviors.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • Incorporating magical realism into the comedic and, at times, poignant overtones can be a tricky feat, but Devantez and company do it with great craft and care.
    — Courtney Howard, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Adapted from a Norwegian-language film from director Tommy Wirkola, this movie needs a director who can smoothly shift from silly to sadistic within a single scene, and Jaccone’s broad comedic sensibilities aren’t up to the task.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of comedic
Adjective
  • Of all the live-action shows made by Adult Swim, Three Busy Debras is the most cartoonish; its world is as elastic and stupid as any Chuck Jones Looney Tunes joint.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Anyone who says anything else is stupid or lying.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • Featuring so many plugs for Chick-fil-A that one hopes the producers got a good product-placement fee or at least free catering for the film shoot, Plantman & Blondie might have been amusing enough as a brief sketch, although frankly even that’s doubtful.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
  • There was an amusing sequence in this game that got a rise out of the crowd.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of amusing

Browse Nearby Words

ridiculing
ridiculous
ridiculousness
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Cite this Entry

“Ridiculous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculous. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ridiculous

Nglish: Translation of ridiculous for Spanish Speakers

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