absurdity

[ab-sur-di-tee, -zur-]

noun

plural

absurdities 

1. the state or quality of being absurd.

2. something absurd.

Other Word Forms

• superabsurdity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of absurdity¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English absurdite, from Middle French, from Late Latin absurditās; absurd + -ity

Example Sentences

It analyzes the forces of corruption and moral probity, capitalism and benevolence—all the rich contradictions and absurdities of the world glimpsed in Jane Austen’s novels.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The cinematography, by Jarred Alterman, is quite handsome and composed, amplifying the seriousness and eeriness, but also the banality and absurdity of the matter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A 2005 screen adaptation by Costa-Gavras did not deter Park from working out his own version, leaning into themes of the cruelty and absurdity of capitalism.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The dot-com bubble, like the AI boom, had its excesses and absurdity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Over on X, another observer summed up the absurdity in a different way.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• craziness 
• farce 
• folly 
• foolishness 
• idiocy 
• insanity 
• silliness 
• stupidity