absurd

[ ab-surd, -zurd ]

adjective

1. utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish or false:

   an absurd explanation.

   Synonyms: nonsensical, ludicrous, silly, irrational

   Antonyms: sensible, logical

noun

1. the quality or condition of existing in a meaningless and irrational world.

absurd

/ əbˈsɜːd /

adjective

1. at variance with reason; manifestly false
2. ludicrous; ridiculous

noun

1. the absurd
   the absurd sometimes capital philosophy the conception of the world, esp in Existentialist thought, as neither designed nor predictable but irrational and meaningless

Derived Forms

• abˈsurdity, noun
• abˈsurdly, adverb

Other Words From

• ab·surdly adverb
• ab·surdness noun
• super·ab·surd adjective
• super·ab·surdly adverb
• super·ab·surdness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of absurd¹

First recorded in 1550–60, absurd is from the Latin word absurdus out of tune, uncouth, ridiculous. See ab-, surd

Word History and Origins

Origin of absurd¹

C16: via French from Latin absurdus dissonant, senseless, from ab- ¹(intensive) + surdus dull-sounding, indistinct

Synonym Study

Absurd, ridiculous, preposterous all mean inconsistent with reason or common sense. Absurd means utterly opposed to truth or reason: an absurd claim. Ridiculous implies that something is fit only to be laughed at, perhaps contemptuously: a ridiculous suggestion. Preposterous implies an extreme of foolishness: a preposterous proposal.

Example Sentences

That also means that they will pump out absurd amounts of heat.

From Popular-Science

The fairest critique of the Bay Area has to do with its absurd housing costs.

From MIT Technology Review

The sense of humor might be a little drier and more absurd, but that’s about it.

From Ars Technica

In the go-go days of 2017 and early 2018, dozens of crypto firms raised absurd amounts of money in “initial coin offerings” that sold digital tokens to all comers via the Internet.

From Fortune

Thankfully the particular project that had so fully absorbed me eventually collapsed under its own absurd weight.

From Quartz

Whatever the reason, and however absurd their beliefs may seem, American evangelicals are deadly serious.

From The Daily Beast

And, as any good public defender would, Wolf says the allegations are absurd.

From The Daily Beast

It is not merely morally absurd to suggest that facts do not matter; as a person of color, it is insulting and degrading.

From The Daily Beast

A lot of folks this week have responded to the absurd question, “What does Valerie Jarrett really do?”

From The Daily Beast

That suggestion turns absurd when you consider the long list of corrupt Democrat politicians Lynch has sent to prison.

From The Daily Beast

Tressan fell suddenly to groaning and wringing his hands a pathetic figure had it been less absurd.

From Project Gutenberg

The charges in general are quite reasonable, though I have paid one or two absurd bills.

From Project Gutenberg

I believe I murmured something suitable, but it was absurd to pretend to be overjoyed at the news.

From Project Gutenberg

Judge: If I hear any more absurd comparisons, I will give you twelve months.

From Project Gutenberg

Absurd as that taffeta dress was for a child of her age, it seemed to her an armor against all disaster.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crazy
• foolish
• goofy
• illogical
• irrational
• laughable
• ludicrous
• nonsensical
• preposterous
• silly
• stupid
• unreasonable
• wacky