Definition

1. Adjective:
   • So absurd, ridiculous, or incongruous as to be laughable: Describes something that is wildly unreasonable, foolish, or out of place, provoking laughter or scorn.
   • Broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce: Describes something characterized by exaggerated, nonsensical comedy.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The politician's ludicrous claim was immediately fact-checked and disproven.
  • Wearing a formal tuxedo to the beach is a ludicrous choice.
  • The film's plot was so ludicrous that the audience laughed throughout.

Advanced Usage

• "to make a ludicrous spectacle of oneself": to behave in an extremely foolish and embarrassing way in public.

  • He made a ludicrous spectacle of himself by trying to argue with the automated phone system.

• "to reduce something to a ludicrous level": to simplify or treat a serious matter in such an oversimplified or absurd way that it becomes ridiculous.

  • The debate was reduced to a ludicrous level by personal attacks.

Variants and Related Words

• Ludicrously (adverb): in a ludicrous manner.

  • The prices for basic goods were ludicrously high.

• Ludicrousness (noun): the quality of being ludicrous.

  • The sheer ludicrousness of the proposal made it impossible to take seriously.

Synonyms

• Absurd: wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate.
• Preposterous: contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.
• Ridiculous: deserving or inviting derision or mockery; absurd.

Antonyms

• Sensible: chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; reasonable.
• Logical: characterized by clear, sound reasoning.
• Reasonable: having sound judgment; fair and sensible.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Beyond ludicrous": even more absurd than something already considered ridiculous; used for emphasis.

  • The new policy isn't just flawed; it's beyond ludicrous.

• "The height of the ludicrous": the most extreme example of absurdity.

  • His explanation for being late was the height of the ludicrous.

Adjective

1. incongruous; inviting ridicule
   • the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework
   • that's a cockeyed idea
   • ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer
   • a contribution so small as to be laughable
   • it is ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion
   • a preposterous attempt to turn back the pages of history
   • her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous
2. broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
   • the wild farcical exuberance of a clown
   • ludicrous green hair