ad absurdum

American  

[ad ab-sur-duhm] / æd æbˈsɜr dəm /

adverb

1. to the point of absurdity.

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ad absurdum Cultural  

1. An argument whereby one seeks to prove one's position by pointing out the absurdity or foolishness of an opponent's position. Also, an argument carried to such lengths that it becomes silly or ridiculous. From Latin, meaning “to absurdity.”

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Etymology

Origin of ad absurdum

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin: literally, “to (the) absurd”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ad absurdum

He seems to have viewed superdeterminism as a reductio ad absurdum proposition, which highlights the strangeness of quantum mechanics.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 10, 2022

But that reductio ad absurdum argument is not enough when millions of people have already accepted the absurdity.

From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2021

Ross provides a reductio ad absurdum for a quiet digital-age truth: A sprinkling of coveted intellectual property can allow a shrewd company to punch well above its weight.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 30, 2021

To some, the arguments over "that damned meteorite" represent diminishing returns, a reductio ad absurdum with no way out of a particularly complicated labyrinth.

From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2020

Reductio ad absurdum, by this token, would be classed as a figure of thought, whereas isocolon—a sequence of phrases the same length—or alliteration would be figures of speech.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith