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absurd

absurd

284 4.4
So silly or unreasonable that it makes no sense
  • adjective
  • /əbˈsɜrd/
: absurdo
  • The idea that the earth is flat is utterly absurd.
  • patently absurd
  • seem absurd
  • appear absurd

And if you think about that, it is both absurd and immoral.

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Examples

  • That is the most absurd statement in the world.

  • Our situation is absurd.

  • This may be the most absurd store I have ever seen.

  • And what he ends up with is for me an absurd solution.

  • I mean, that would be absurd to think that, obviously.

  • If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.

  • I mean, that is not just absurd, it's dangerous.

  • Our clients are laughing because the charges are absurd.

  • And if you think about that, it is both absurd and immoral.

  • The premise is so far-fetched it's absurd.

Synonyms

crazy
vsabsurd
  • Informal
∞ 1.4

Very strange or unusual in a way that surprises people

is specifically about being wildly unreasonable rather than merely strange
ridiculous
vsabsurd
∞ 1.6

Very silly or unreasonable in a way that makes people laugh

is a wider term for wild unreason beyond mere silliness
unbelievable
vsabsurd
492 4.9

Very surprising and almost impossible to accept as true

expresses active unreason or ridiculousness rather than sheer improbability
insane
vsabsurd
  • Offensive
265 4.1

Very foolish and risky because of bad judgment

covers strange or unreasonable ideas rather than only reckless acts
irrational
vsabsurd
160 4.4

Not based on clear reason or thinking

adds a sense of being ridiculous or laughable beyond lacking reason
idiotic
vsabsurd
  • Offensive
103 4.4

Very silly and showing bad judgment

includes ridiculousness but is more about foolishness than sheer unreason
ludicrous
vsabsurd
87 6.0

Very silly and unreasonable so it makes people laugh

is broader, covering wild unreason not only the funny side
preposterous
vsabsurd
65 7.3

Very silly and unreasonable so it seems laughable

is more general wild unreason rather than focused on laughable absurdity
laughable
vsabsurd
54 4.1

So silly or not reasonable that people do not take it seriously

may show wild unreason without being funny
outrageous
vsabsurd
54 4.2

Too high to be fair or reasonable

is about wild unreason rather than strong shock or excess
illogical
vsabsurd
41 4.8

Does not make sense or follow clear reasons

is broader, adding notions of ridiculousness beyond mere illogic
nonsensical
vsabsurd
32 5.5

Not making sense or having any meaning

is more about wild unreason and ridicule than complete meaninglessness
implausible
vsabsurd
25 7.0

Not likely to be true or hard to believe

focuses more on being wildly unreasonable or ridiculous than mere improbability
cockamamie
vsabsurd
  • Informal
15 9.9

Silly and unlikely to be true

is the neutral word for wild unreason rather than the informal tone
cockeyed
vsabsurd
  • Informal
3 8.9

A foolish idea or plan that will not work

covers wild unreason in general rather than odd or offbeat tone
cockamamy
vsabsurd
  • Informal
2 9.9

Very silly and not likely to be true

is the neutral, noninformal label for wild unreason
killingly absurd
vsabsurd
  • Informal
8.4

Very silly in a way that makes people laugh

is the base idea of wild unreason, less focused on intensity
out of Absurdistan
vsabsurd
  • UK
9.9

So ridiculous that it seems unreal or made up

describes wild unreason more neutrally without imaginative origin

Antonyms

677 2.7

Fair and sensible in thinking and behavior

347 3.8

Based on clear thinking and facts rather than emotion

307 3.8

Having clear reasons that fit the facts

Compounds

the absurd
  • Formal
12 9.8

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

2 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

preposterous
65 7.3
ridiculous
∞ 1.6
absurd
284 4.4
unreasonable
131 3.0

Surface Forms

absurd positive
absurder comparative
absurdest superlative

Etymology

Absurd comes from Latin parts ab- 'away from' and surdus 'deaf', and the root surdus is like the English word deaf. It first meant 'out of tune' or 'not in harmony', so we now use absurd to describe something 'ridiculous' or wildly 'unreasonable'.