ridiculous
adjective
ri·dic·u·lous rə-ˈdi-kyə-ləs 
: arousing or deserving ridicule : extremely silly or unreasonable : absurd, preposterous
ridiculousness noun
Synonyms
- absurd
- cockamamy
- cockamamie
- comical
- derisive
- derisory
- farcical
- laughable
- ludicrous
- pathetic
- preposterous
- risible
- silly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
His band mates take the stage in ridiculous elf costumes—black tights, pointy felt hats. 
Jason Cohen, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 1995 I also poked fun at those ridiculous fins on the '59 Cadillac. The '60, now, that was something else, and I've thought highly enough of the design to have owned two of them. Marshall Schuon, New York Times, 30 June 1991 Take into account the artist's intention and choice of means. This sounds so elementary that it seems ridiculous to bring it up … Leonardo Shapiro, Village Voice, 27 Aug. 1991 It was absurd for him to paint portraits for pay, and ridiculous to paint them for nothing; so he did not paint them at all. William Dean Howells, The Rise of Silas Lapham, 1885 She looks ridiculous in that outfit. It was a ridiculous suggestion. That's an absolutely ridiculous price for that sweater. See More
Jason Cohen, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 1995 I also poked fun at those ridiculous fins on the '59 Cadillac. The '60, now, that was something else, and I've thought highly enough of the design to have owned two of them. Marshall Schuon, New York Times, 30 June 1991 Take into account the artist's intention and choice of means. This sounds so elementary that it seems ridiculous to bring it up … Leonardo Shapiro, Village Voice, 27 Aug. 1991 It was absurd for him to paint portraits for pay, and ridiculous to paint them for nothing; so he did not paint them at all. William Dean Howells, The Rise of Silas Lapham, 1885 She looks ridiculous in that outfit. It was a ridiculous suggestion. That's an absolutely ridiculous price for that sweater. See More Recent Examples on the Web For a swimmer to have a moustache was, well, ridiculous. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Sep. 2022 But any notion that he should be fired is ridiculous. Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 While their arguments are typically ridiculous, the decadent setting more than makes up for it. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event – the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense – seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 3 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event – the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense – seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event – the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense – seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event – the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense – seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 3 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event — the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense — seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Sep. 2022 But any notion that he should be fired is ridiculous. Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 While their arguments are typically ridiculous, the decadent setting more than makes up for it. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event – the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense – seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 3 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event – the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense – seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event – the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense – seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event – the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense – seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 3 Aug. 2022 Everything about this big event — the constant concerns about our family members and guests, the details and checklists, and especially the expense — seems ridiculous to us now. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin ridiculosus (from ridiculum jest, from neuter of ridiculus) or ridiculus, literally, laughable, from ridēre to laugh
First Known Use
1550, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing ridiculous
Kids Definition
ridiculous
adjective
ri·dic·u·lous rə-ˈdi-kyə-ləs
: causing or deserving ridicule : very silly or unreasonable
ridiculous
adjective
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
Relevance
- absurd
- silly
- pathetic
- stupid
- ludicrous
- foolish
- unreasonable
- comical
- laughable
- incredible
- preposterous
- farcical
- irrational
- dumb
- insane
- risible
- derisive
- crazy
- idiotic
- derisory
- fantastic
- fantastical
- inane
- asinine
- nonsensical
- moronic
- mad
- cockamamie
- cockamamy
- fatuous
- unbelievable
- unreal
- imbecile
- unwise
- daft
- unrealistic
- inconceivable
- illogical
- lunatic
- wacky
- for the birds
- simpleminded
- witless
- loony
- nutty
- harebrained
- imbecilic
- screwball
- jerky
- brainless
- idiotical
- kooky
- whacky
- dotty
- daffy
- senseless
- half-baked
- cuckoo
- far-fetched
- looney
- kookie
- half-witted
- weak-minded
- balmy
- cockeyed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- serious
- reasonable
- solemn
- earnest
- realistic
- logical
- conceivable
- sensible
- rational
- credible
- believable
2
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter a movie comedian who has perfected the ridiculous pratfall Synonyms & Similar Words
- funny
- humorous
- comedic
- amusing
- comical
- ludicrous
- hysterical
- comic
- laughable
- hilarious
- entertaining
- farcical
- screaming
- hysteric
- risible
- droll
- uproarious
- witty
- riotous
- playful
- antic
- killing
- chucklesome
- sidesplitting
- humoristic
- zany
- clownish
- flippant
- laughing
- diverting
- slapstick
- merry
- facetious
- flip
- whimsical
- mad
- jokey
- slapsticky
- knockabout
- waggish
- jocular
- jolly
- gleeful
- campy
- smart
- priceless
- rich
- wry
- jovial
- mirthful
- pert
- jocose
- snickery
- joky
- smart-alecky
- jocund
- smart-aleck
- blithesome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lame
- serious
- unfunny
- unamusing
- humorless
- tragic
- severe
- solemn
- earnest
- somber
- sombre
- unhumorous
- tragical
- unhysterical
- sad
- poignant
- staid
- grave
- weighty
- sober
- uncomic
- unsmiling
- sedate
- woeful
- touching
- moving
- sobersided
- affecting
- tearful
- mournful
- sorrowful
- no-nonsense
- lachrymose
Synonym Chooser
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
The meanings of comic and ridiculous largely overlap; however, comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.
a comic character
The synonyms comical and ridiculous are sometimes interchangeable, but comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.
a comical hat
In some situations, the words laughable and ridiculous are roughly equivalent. However, laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.
laughable attempts at skating
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