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absurd

[ab-surd, -zurd]
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adjective
  1. utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish or false: an absurd explanation.
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noun
  1. the quality or condition of existing in a meaningless and irrational world.
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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

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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

1. logical, sensible.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

irrationalitysillinesscrazinesslunacybunkfollyinsanitystupidityrubbishindiscretionabsurdityirresponsibilitymadnessnonsensetommyrottwaddlepoppycockinanityclaptrapweakness

Examples from the Web for absurdness

Historical Examples

  • The Key to the Brontë Works shows the absurdness of such a claim.

    The Key to the Bront Works

    John Malham-Dembleby

British Dictionary definitions for absurdness

absurd

adjective
  1. at variance with reason; manifestly false
  2. ludicrous; ridiculous
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noun
  1. the absurd (sometimes capital) philosophy the conception of the world, esp in Existentialist thought, as neither designed nor predictable but irrational and meaningless
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See also theatre of the absurd
Derived Formsabsurdity or absurdness, nounabsurdly, adverb

Word Origin

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 absurdness

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper