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Synonyms

risible

American  
[riz-uh-buhl] / ˈrɪz ə bəl /

adjective

  1. causing or capable of causing laughter; laughable; ludicrous.

    Synonyms:
    comical, humorous, funny
  2. having the ability, disposition, or readiness to laugh.

  3. pertaining to or connected with laughing.


risible British  
/ ˈrɪzɪbəl /

adjective

  1. having a tendency to laugh

  2. causing laughter; ridiculous

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of risible

1550–60; < Late Latin rīsibilis that can laugh, equivalent to Latin rīs ( us ) laughed (past participle of rīdēre to laugh) + -ibilis -ible

Explanation

Risible describes something that is laughable or amusing, like seeing dozens of clowns emerge from a very tiny car. Risible is a fun word to say (it rhymes with visible), but it's not used all that much, maybe because it's a little formal. If you started saying the word risible all the time, that itself might be a little bit risible. Fun — and less stuffy — synonyms include amusing, comic, comical, funny, laughable, and mirthful.

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Vocabulary lists containing risible

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The idea that it can roam the globe on its own, ending wars with no base of power or authority, is risible.

From Slate • Jan. 28, 2026

She opposed Pete Hegseth’s risible nomination as Defense secretary and voted to undo Trump’s heedless tariffs on Canada.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025

Her works achieve the difficult feat of synthesizing a coma-inducing dullness with piercingly shrill extended diatribes to create reverse masterpieces worthy of the most risible North Korean propaganda.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2024

Such conditions would be risible by today's standards, but O'Connor persisted and was eventually able to muster a small salary.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2023

He delighted in seeing the contortions of the risible muscles which were uniformly on duty in all proper circles when James Smith was present.

From Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by Judson, L. Carroll

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