Synonyms

absurd

American

[uhb-surd, -zurd] / əbˈsɜrd, -ˈzɜrd /

adjective

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

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

absurd British

/ əbˈsɜːd /

adjective

at variance with reason; manifestly false
ludicrous; 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

noun

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

"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

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.

Other Word Forms

absurdity noun
absurdly adverb
absurdness noun
superabsurd adjective
superabsurdly adverb
superabsurdness noun

Etymology

Origin of absurd

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

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.

Screens will balloon to such absurd proportions that you’ll recruit the tallest NBA player in history to demonstrate how to properly use them.

From The Wall Street Journal

"That's the middle ground we have to find in the future: between absurd investments in the billions and a sensible approach in terms of sustainability," Odermatt said.

From Barron's

But Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh, who opposes the full decant option, said the proposals were "absurd".

From BBC

"These claims – from a proven, disgruntled liar – are absolutely absurd and completely false," a spokesperson for Bill Gates has said about the allegations.

From BBC

Response: A spokesperson for Gates told the BBC: "These claims – from a proven, disgruntled liar – are absolutely absurd and completely false."

From BBC

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