Synonyms

ludicrous

American

[loo-di-kruhs] / ˈlu dɪ krəs /

adjective

causing laughter because of absurdity; provoking or deserving derision; ridiculous; laughable.

a ludicrous lack of efficiency.

Synonyms:

farcical

ludicrous British

/ ˈluːdɪkrəs /

adjective

absurd or incongruous to the point of provoking ridicule or laughter

"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

Related Words

See funny ¹.

Other Word Forms

ludicrously adverb
ludicrousness noun
unludicrous adjective
unludicrously adverb
unludicrousness noun

Etymology

Origin of ludicrous

1610–20; from Latin lūdicrus “sportive,” equivalent to lūdicr(um) “a show, public games” ( lūdi-, stem of lūdere “to play” + -crum noun suffix of instrument or result) + -us -ous

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.

For the rest of America not versed in the internecine fights of the online right, this situation may seem baffling—or even trivial, given the ludicrous nature of Owens’ claims.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

This price tag is ludicrous for an 18-month experiment.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

"I do think it will be a ludicrous challenge, and one that I don't know whether or not I can do," he says.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

Wyle tells the audience he is “not a real doctor” as he fires off ludicrous medical claims.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2026

He pedaled harder, an idea forming in his mind, one that felt big and silly and ludicrous.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023