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.

Israel dismissed the accusations as "absurd and distorted".

From BBC

Seven European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, issued a joint public statement emphasising, albeit in diplomatic language, their shared view that Washington's designs on Greenland are as absurd as they are counterproductive.

From BBC

Last year, American men's world number six Taylor Fritz said it was "absurd" he was only able to take one week off tennis before the 2025 season.

From BBC

Combining Östlund’s taste for the outrageous and absurd with this simple yet terrifyingly relatable premise may make this the year’s truest horror film.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Abbotoy says he doesn't call himself a Christian nationalist, but describes the criticism of his customers as "absurd" and says they have no intention to try to take over local government.

From BBC

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