absurd

[ ab-surd, -zurd ]

See synonyms for absurd on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

noun

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

Origin of absurd

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

synonym study For absurd

1. 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 words for absurd

1	irrational, silly, ludicrous, nonsensical

See synonyms for absurd on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for absurd

1	logical, sensible

See antonyms for absurd on Thesaurus.com

Other words from absurd

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

Words Nearby absurd

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use absurd in a sentence

Whatever the reason, and however absurd their beliefs may seem, American evangelicals are deadly serious.
The Evangelical Apocalypse Is All Your Fault | Jay Michaelson | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
And, as any good public defender would, Wolf says the allegations are absurd.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist | Creede Newton | December 14, 2014 | 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.
Dear White People: Well-Meaning Paternalism Is Still Racist | Chloé Valdary | December 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
A lot of folks this week have responded to the absurd question, “What does Valerie Jarrett really do?”
The Valerie Jarrett I Know: How She Saved the Obama Campaign and Why She’s Indispensable | Joshua DuBois | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
That suggestion turns absurd when you consider the long list of corrupt Democrat politicians Lynch has sent to prison.
For Next AG, Obama Picks a Quiet Fighter With a Heavy Punch | Michael Daly | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Tressan fell suddenly to groaning and wringing his hands a pathetic figure had it been less absurd.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
The charges in general are quite reasonable, though I have paid one or two absurd bills.
Glances at Europe | Horace Greeley
I believe I murmured something suitable, but it was absurd to pretend to be overjoyed at the news.
Uncanny Tales | Various
Judge: If I hear any more absurd comparisons, I will give you twelve months.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
absurd as that taffeta dress was for a child of her age, it seemed to her an armor against all disaster.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn | Margaret Penrose

British Dictionary definitions for absurd

absurd

/ (əbˈsɜːd) /

adjective

at variance with reason; manifestly false
ludicrous; ridiculous

noun

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

Origin of absurd

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

See also theatre of the absurd

Derived forms of absurd

absurdity or absurdness, noun
absurdly, adverb

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

Browse