Synonyms of laughable

laughable

adjective

ˈla-fə-bəl 

1

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter

the laughable, boisterous antics of the circus clowns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• funny
• humorous
• comedic
• ridiculous
• amusing
• comical
• hysterical
• comic
• ludicrous
• entertaining
• hilarious
• farcical
• risible
• screaming
• witty
• playful
• droll
• uproarious
• riotous
• antic
• killing
• chucklesome
• sidesplitting
• humoristic
• clownish
• zany
• flippant
• slapstick
• laughing
• merry
• facetious
• diverting
• flip
• waggish
• whimsical
• jocular
• jokey
• slapsticky
• wry
• priceless
• mad
• jolly
• gleeful
• rich
• campy
• smart
• jovial
• knockabout
• mirthful
• pert
• snickery
• jocose
• smart-alecky
• smart-aleck
• jocund
• blithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lame
• serious
• humorless
• earnest
• severe
• tragic
• unfunny
• solemn
• somber
• unamusing
• grave
• staid
• sober
• poignant
• unhumorous
• weighty
• unsmiling
• sedate
• sad
• unhysterical
• moving
• touching
• uncomic
• affecting
• woeful
• no-nonsense
• sorrowful
• sobersided
• tearful
• mournful
• lachrymose

2

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

it was simply laughable to see this middle-aged, hopelessly square candidate trying to appear young and hip

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ridiculous
• absurd
• pathetic
• silly
• stupid
• foolish
• ludicrous
• comical
• unreasonable
• farcical
• preposterous
• dumb
• risible
• derisive
• incredible
• irrational
• insane
• derisory
• fantastic
• crazy
• idiotic
• for the birds
• mad
• inane
• moronic
• asinine
• nonsensical
• fatuous
• cockamamy
• unbelievable
• imbecile
• unwise
• unreal
• inconceivable
• unrealistic
• simpleminded
• witless
• illogical
• loony
• wacky
• harebrained
• jerky
• brainless
• nutty
• kooky
• daffy
• half-baked
• cuckoo
• senseless
• daft
• far-fetched
• weak-minded
• half-witted
• balmy
• screwball
• cockeyed
• dotty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• earnest
• solemn
• reasonable
• logical
• realistic
• conceivable
• credible
• rational
• sensible
• believable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective laughable differ from other similar words?

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

laughable attempts at skating

When might comic be a better fit than laughable?

The synonyms comic and laughable are sometimes interchangeable, but comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

When could comical be used to replace laughable?

The words comical and laughable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Where would ludicrous be a reasonable alternative to laughable?

In some situations, the words ludicrous and laughable are roughly equivalent. However, ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When would ridiculous be a good substitute for laughable?

The meanings of ridiculous and laughable largely overlap; however, ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of laughable

It is aforementioned Howard, a 16-seed, keeping it inexplicably interesting against a 1-seeded Michigan that had both a laughable size and budget advantage. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026

Lange’s comments seem laughable now. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026

The use of a memoir as a framing device isn’t a particularly original idea, and the sight of Tommy continuing to tap away at the keyboard while riding on a canal barge is borderline laughable. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026

Proposing to eliminate the state’s income tax is, to put it charitably, laughable. —Joseph Gerics, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026