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absurd

absurd

1 8.4
A feeling that life and events have no meaning or reason
  • noun
  • /əbˈsɜrd/
  • Formal
translation icon : lo absurdo
  • But the absurd has a long and legitimate tradition in the arts and humanities (Beckett, 1954; Camus, 1955) that can be used to establish a literary value for absurdist pieces composed by students.

Because what binds is not just the absurd itself.

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Examples

  • The strange expressions which occasionally border on the absurd can also be seen not just in the light of the poet's creating contrasts, but also in a mystic sense.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The only way to get by it is to accept the absurd, to live with it.

  • You can even in the midst of the absurd, be happy.

  • But arguing the absurd seems to be becoming your trademark around here.

    Blog text (24)
  • The Absurd is for real, I thought, running to the dorm.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • While this may sound grim, the Absurd blends its hopelessness with humor.

  • The analogous need for extricating oneself from the absurd could become concretized at the national level.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Philosophers often discuss the absurd to point out the irrational nature of existence.

  • Many people find a sense of the absurd in everyday situations, especially when things go wrong.

  • The comedy highlighted the absurd aspects of life, leaving the audience both amused and contemplative.

Synonyms

absurdity
vsabsurd
54 6.1

Something very silly that goes against common sense

is the philosophical sense focusing on life and meaning rather than general unreason
irrationality
vsabsurd
12 6.2

A lack of clear, logical thinking

is about meaninglessness of existence rather than simple lack of reason
ridiculousness
vsabsurd
10 4.9

Being very silly or clearly unreasonable

is used philosophically to discuss meaning and irrationality not comic value
the absurd
vsabsurd
  • Formal
3 9.8

A belief that human life has no real meaning and makes no sense

is the broader term for events seeming irrational or meaningless in many contexts
ludicrousness
vsabsurd
1 7.5

A situation so silly or unreasonable that people laugh and do not believe it

is the philosophical idea of life being meaningless not mere comic effect
preposterousness
vsabsurd
1 7.9

A state of being very silly and clearly against common sense

is the philosophical view of life's meaning not merely shocking or silly
absurdness
vsabsurd
7.3

A situation that is very strange and does not make sense

is the philosophical concept about life seeming meaningless not mere inconsistency

Antonyms

327 3.3

Something that has a clear purpose or that is important

34 5.4

Clear thinking and decisions based on facts and logic

Compounds

the absurd
  • Formal
3 9.8

A belief that human life has no real meaning and makes no sense

1 9.1

Plays that show life as meaningless and use strange dialogue and events

killingly absurd
  • Informal
8.4

Very silly in a way that makes people laugh

How Absurd

absurd
  • Formal
1 8.4
irrationality
12 6.2
nonsense
578 2.5

Surface Forms

absurd singular
absurds plural

Etymology

The absurd is the same word, from Latin ab- 'away from' and surdus 'deaf', keeping the idea of being 'out of tune' with the world. That's why philosophers call life or events 'the absurd' when they seem 'meaningless' or 'without reason'.