ridiculous
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for ridiculous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Deserving to be laughed at; absurd or foolish.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ridiculous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin rīdiculus (\"laughable\"); formed from ridicule plus -ous.
Full origin of ridiculous →Frequently asked questions
What does “ridiculous” mean?
The word “ridiculous” means deserving to be laughed at; absurd or foolish. In plain terms, so absurd or extreme that it seems laughable.
How do you pronounce “ridiculous”?
“Ridiculous” is pronounced rih-DIHK-yuu-luhs (/ɹɪˈdɪk.jə.ləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ridiculous” in a sentence?
Here is “ridiculous” used in a sentence: “It's ridiculous to expect the report by tomorrow morning.”
What part of speech is “ridiculous”?
“Ridiculous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ridiculous” come from?
The word “ridiculous” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin rīdiculus (\"laughable\"); formed from ridicule plus -ous.
Is “ridiculous” a common word?
“Ridiculous” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “ridiculous” have?
“Ridiculous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deserving to be laughed at; absurd or foolish.
What is the difference between ridiculous and absurd?
Both describe something that defies good sense, but ridiculous stresses that a thing deserves mockery or laughter, while absurd stresses that it defies logic or reason. A clown's outfit is ridiculous; a square circle is absurd. In everyday speech the two overlap heavily and are often used interchangeably.
Is ridiculous a positive or negative word?
It is usually negative, labelling something as foolish or worthy of ridicule. However, in casual slang it can flip to a compliment, so calling a performance or a meal 'ridiculous' can mean it was impressively, almost unbelievably good. Tone and context decide which meaning is intended.
What is an example of something ridiculous?
Wearing a heavy winter coat to the beach in summer would be ridiculous, as would a plan to empty the ocean with a spoon. The word suits anything so absurd, impractical, or foolish that a reasonable person would laugh at it or refuse to take it seriously.
What is the opposite of ridiculous?
The clearest opposites are sensible, reasonable, and rational, words for ideas or behaviour that hold up to scrutiny rather than inviting laughter. Serious, dignified, and credible also work when the contrast is about being taken seriously. The right opposite depends on whether you mean logical soundness or respectability.