absurd

American  

[uhb-surd, -zurd] / əbˈsɜrd, -ˈzɜrd /

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

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noun

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

absurd British  

/ əbˈsɜːd /

adjective

1. at variance with reason; manifestly false

2. ludicrous; ridiculous

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noun

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

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

Explanation

Something absurd is really silly, absolutely ridiculous, or total nonsense. Thinking you can wear flip flops and a bikini to the North Pole is an absurd idea, for example. If you run into someone dressed in an absurd outfit or watch a movie full of absurd jokes, you'll probably have a good laugh. But find yourself dealing with the absurd; you'll likely be stuck in a depressing existential crisis. The absurd describes a state of being where human life has no purpose and everything is completely irrational.

Example Sentences

Fruit is an absurd but also simple way to reflect the formulaic, sensationalist and stereotypical world of dating reality TV, Lupinacci said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

We talk on the phone most days about the kids, life and whatever absurd situation the world has thrown at us.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

“It’s absurd to expect the Americans to come to our aid when our own people aren’t even defending our own country,” said Masashi Kajiyama, who is in his 60s and lives in Nagasaki.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

"You can go back over history, and you end up in a completely absurd position," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

It sounds like stealing the Washington Monument or Niagara Falls; it sounds absurd.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

Related Words

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