theater of the absurd

American  

noun

1. theater in which standard or naturalistic conventions of plot, characterization, and thematic structure are ignored or distorted in order to convey the irrational or fictive nature of reality and the essential isolation of humanity in a meaningless world.

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Etymology

Origin of theater of the absurd

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

“It’s a little bit of the theater of the absurd at this point, right? Michael Cohen is no longer a witness in this trial,” Blanche added.

From Seattle Times

“Sometimes it’s like a theater of the absurd,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is a theater of the absurd,” he said.

From New York Times

Washington branded Reed’s trial a “theater of the absurd”.

From Reuters

The United States called his trial a “theater of the absurd.”

From Reuters