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comic

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective comic differ from other similar words?

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

a comic character

When can comical be used instead of comic?

The words comical and comic can be used in similar contexts, but comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

When is it sensible to use laughable instead of comic?

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

laughable attempts at skating

When could ludicrous be used to replace comic?

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

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

When might ridiculous be a better fit than comic?

While in some cases nearly identical to comic, ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

Examples 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 comic
Noun
Rock may not have been the strongest host this season, but the comic delivered an audacious monologue that seemed to inspire a similarly gleeful approach in the night’s sketches. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2024 The pitch, centered on an intergalactic witness protection program, came with 10 pages of an unpublished comic. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The strength of an ape, the speed of a cheetah, the comic timing of a grizzly bear, and so on. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024 But this nearly 50-year-old film nevertheless surprises for how fresh its comedic sensibility is and its modern comic point of view. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for comic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comic
Noun
  • Donald Trump appeared on podcasts hosted by comedians who are known for their appeal with conservative-leaning audiences, including Rogan, Andrew Schulz and Theo Von.
    Angela Yang, NBC News, 23 Dec. 2024
  • While looking back at past projects, Chris Columbus, the director behind holiday classics Home Alone and Gremlins, shared a not-so-merry holiday recollection involving comedian Chevy Chase.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Paty was killed outside his school near Paris on Oct. 16, 2020, days after showing his class cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during a debate on free expression.
    Tom Nouvian and Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons… MEDIA PULLING THE STRINGS – Liberals push talking point that Elon Musk is truly the incoming president instead of Trump.
    Fox News, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The series gradually balanced its humor with drama, allowing the tragedy of war to coexist with the rules of its sitcom formula.
    Danny Horn, EW.com, 28 Dec. 2024
  • Set in Wales and Essex, England, where Gavin hails from, the show became a hit when it was first released thanks to its humor and loving portrayal of family and friendship.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The ensemble cast’s comedic gifts also get a fine showcase throughout thanks to some snappy banter and amusing physical comedy — and some exciting car chases, too.
    Simon Abrams, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The surrealist, comedic drama stars Torres and Tilda Swinton as an aspiring toymaker and an eccentric art critic who find problematic soulmates in each other.
    Elaina Patton, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • What exactly is that thin strip of land separating Colorado from Texas?
    Bill Chappell, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The output of this test is a strip with a series of bands that indicate how the pathogen reacts to different medications.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • However, Meredith’s attempt to fit in with the Stones causes numerous challenges, leading to humorous and touching moments as family dynamics unravel.
    JOHN DEALBREUIN Wealth of Geeks, Boston Herald, 26 Dec. 2024
  • The writing is clever, the plot twists abound, the characters are fully drawn, and there are plenty of humorous and heartfelt moments to break up the main action.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Speaking of funnies, stop publishing ones that aren’t funny!
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2024
  • More nervously unsettling than laugh-out-loud funny, Iannucci’s style works well for his incredible cast, including Steve Buscemi, Paddy Considine, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Friend, Michael Palin, and Andrea Riseborough.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 6 June 2024
Noun
  • Your grandparent's bookshelf is no more: Today's books fit into distinct genres like romance or comedy increasingly rarely.
    Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Sight gags baked into the production design (the books the Gromit reads or the signs that populate the sets) and gnome puns aplenty make for a ride in which every frame packs a dense layer of comedy, at times conspicuous, others not so much.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near comic

Cite this Entry

“Comic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comic. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

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