absurd

[ab-surd, -zurd]

SEE MORE 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

Related formsab·surd·ly, adverbab·surd·ness, nounsu·per·ab·surd, adjectivesu·per·ab·surd·ly, adverbsu·per·ab·surd·ness, noun

Synonyms for absurd

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR absurd ON THESAURUS.COM

1. irrational, silly, ludicrous, nonsensical.

Synonym study

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.

Antonyms for absurd

1. logical, sensible.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for absurd

crazy, illogical, ludicrous, unreasonable, goofy, preposterous, stupid, silly, wacky, laughable, foolish, nonsensical, irrational, loony, tomfool, batty, daffy, flaky, idiotic, inane

Examples from the Web for absurd

Contemporary Examples of absurd

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
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
This is absurd, and an insight to how the GOP is likely to win big on Tuesday.
Why You Can’t Tell the Truth About Race
Michael Tomasky
November 3, 2014
Or—just as inconceivable and absurd—sentencing entire generations of North Korean families to labor camps.
Gout or Out: North Korea’s No-Show Leader Keeps ‘Em Guessing
Kevin Bleyer
October 11, 2014
Whatever, the certification is absurd and should be changed immediately.
Why ‘Black-ish’ Has a Gay Problem
Tim Teeman
October 3, 2014

Historical Examples of absurd

The other idea was absurd—too wild for serious consideration.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Thinking back, he felt that it was all absurd and dreamlike.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
She did not like the things at all, for no one could be certain what absurd thing he might not do.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
She had almost thought that was the name of the feeling, only it had seemed so absurd.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
"It's too absurd to think about," Gilder repeated, impatiently.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana

British Dictionary definitions for absurd

absurd

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

Word Origin for absurd

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

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

Word Origin and History for absurd

adj.

1550s, from Middle French absurde (16c.), from Latin absurdus "out of tune; foolish" (see absurdity). The main modern sense (also present in Latin) is a figurative one, "out of harmony with reason or propriety." Related: Absurdly; absurdness.