absurdism

American  

[ab-sur-diz-uhm, -zur-] / æbˈsɜr dɪz əm, -ˈzɜr- /

noun

1. the philosophical and literary doctrine that human beings live in essential isolation in a meaningless and irrational world.

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Etymology

Origin of absurdism

First recorded in 1945–50; absurd + -ism

Explanation

In philosophy, absurdism is the idea that nothing in the universe makes any kind of rational sense. In comedy, absurdism is just plain ridiculous and silly. Absurdism comes from absurd, "ridiculous or unreasonable," and its Latin root, absurdus, "out of tune." If you have a philosophical belief in absurdism, you think it's a waste of time to search for the meaning of life, since the entire world is simply absurd. Most people, however, only see specific situations and events as absurd. We can appreciate the absurdism of a truly goofy comedian, even if we view the universe as rational and meaningful.

Example Sentences

US director Boots Riley's signature absurdism is all over his latest film "I Love Boosters," which opens in US theaters this week, but the wacky visuals are all in service of an "optimistic" social commentary.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

That snippet of anthropological absurdism mutated into the brain-melting TV show “How to With John Wilson,” and now, the Emmy-nominated prankster-humanist has a feature playing on opening night.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

The Nobel Prize in Literature described Krasznahorkai as "a great epic writer in the Central European tradition that extends through Kafka to Thomas Bernhard, and is characterised by absurdism and grotesque excess."

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

Cocky and sometimes crude with a puckish sense of humor, Navaly reveled in the absurdism inherent to authoritarian regimes.

From Slate • Feb. 16, 2024

There are sight gags, reference to other films, wordplay, and fart jokes, absurdism and more.

From Salon • Oct. 3, 2023