preposterous

[ pri-pos-ter-uhs, -truhs ]
/ prɪˈpɒs tər əs, -trəs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR preposterous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd; senseless; utterly foolish: a preposterous tale.

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Origin of preposterous

First recorded in 1535–45, preposterous is from the Latin word praeposterus with the hinder part foremost. See pre-, posterior, -ous

synonym study for preposterous

See absurd.

OTHER WORDS FROM preposterous

Words nearby preposterous

prepositive, prepositor, prepossess, prepossessing, prepossession, preposterous, prepotency, prepotent, prepotential, preppy, preprandial
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to preposterous

insane, unbelievable, excessive, irrational, incredible, unthinkable, fantastic, ludicrous, senseless, unreasonable, crazy, outrageous, stupid, silly, absurd, impossible, laughable, foolish, nonsensical, shocking

Example sentences from the Web for preposterous

British Dictionary definitions for preposterous

preposterous
/ (prɪˈpɒstərəs) /

adjective

contrary to nature, reason, or sense; absurd; ridiculous

Derived forms of preposterous

preposterously, adverbpreposterousness, noun

Word Origin for preposterous

C16: from Latin praeposterus reversed, from prae in front, before + posterus following
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