absurd

[ uhb-surd, -zurd ]

adjective

1. utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish or false:

   an absurd explanation.

   Synonyms: nonsensical, ludicrous, silly, irrational

   Antonyms: sensible, logical

noun

1. the quality or condition of existing in a meaningless and irrational world.

absurd

/ əbˈsɜːd /

adjective

1. at variance with reason; manifestly false
2. ludicrous; ridiculous

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

Derived Forms

• abˈsurdity, noun
• abˈsurdly, adverb

Other Words From

• ab·surd·ly adverb
• ab·surd·ness noun
• su·per·ab·surd adjective
• su·per·ab·surd·ly adverb
• su·per·ab·surd·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of absurd¹

First recorded in 1550–60, absurd is from the Latin word absurdus out of tune, uncouth, ridiculous. See ab-, surd

Word History and Origins

Origin of absurd¹

C16: via French from Latin absurdus dissonant, senseless, from ab- ¹(intensive) + surdus dull-sounding, indistinct

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

This radical inconsistency is why Kelly was right to brand their sit down with Trump an “absurd farce.”

From Salon

Assethold said: "That is simply not the case and defamatory by the judge; there was clear transparency and the invoice is bona fide. How a judge can say that with no evidence is absurd and we are considering making a complaint about the judge and these comments as there must be evidence to say this."

From BBC

In perhaps the most absurd passage in the op-ed, Goldstein discusses the pending state charges against Trump, which, unlike the federal cases, the president cannot unilaterally kill once he takes the oath of office.

From Slate

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said Israel “categorically rejects the absurd and false accusations” and called the court a “biased and discriminatory political body.”

From Los Angeles Times

The prime minister’s office called it "an antisemitic decision" and said that Israel "utterly rejects the false and absurd charges", labelling the ICC "a biased and discriminatory political body".

From BBC

Related Words

• crazy
• foolish
• goofy
• illogical
• irrational
• laughable
• ludicrous
• nonsensical
• preposterous
• silly
• stupid
• unreasonable
• wacky