OpenSynonym

absurd

/əbˈsɜrd/

ADJECTIVE

1. Contrary to reason or common sense

Contrary to reason, logic, or ordinary common sense; obviously unreasonable, nonsensical, or ridiculous.

1.1. Illogical or irrational

Describing ideas, arguments, or statements that contradict reason, logic, or rational thinking.

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Examples

  • The idea that the Earth is flat is absurd in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence.
  • It's absurd to believe that all problems can be solved with a simple solution.

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1.2. Ridiculous or laughable

Describing something so unreasonable, foolish, or exaggerated that it deserves ridicule or seems laughably unreasonable.

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  • The policy of banning all electronic devices in the workplace seemed absurd to many employees in the digital age.
  • The comedian's jokes often bordered on the absurd, eliciting laughter and bewilderment from the audience.

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1.3. Implausible or unbelievable

Describing claims, situations, or explanations that are so unlikely or unreasonable that they are difficult to believe.

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  • The witness gave an absurd explanation that nobody in the courtroom could believe.

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1.4. Foolish or lacking good judgment

Describing decisions, behavior, or people as extremely foolish, unintelligent, or lacking sensible judgment.

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Examples

  • It was absurd of him to ignore the warnings and proceed without checking the equipment.

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ADJECTIVE

2. Strange, bizarre, or unconventional

Unusual, bizarre, or contrary to normal expectations, often in a way that appears eccentric, surreal, or outlandish.

2.1. Bizarre or peculiar

Describing something unusually strange, unconventional, or different from what is normally expected.

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Examples

  • Despite her best efforts, she found herself in an absurd situation where everything seemed to go wrong at once.

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2.2. Surreal or dreamlike

Describing situations or experiences that seem unreal, fantastical, or disconnected from ordinary reality.

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  • The film created an absurd dreamlike world in which ordinary rules no longer applied.

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2.3. Incongruous or out of place

Describing something that does not fit its surroundings or has no harmonious or sensible relationship with other things.

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  • The absurd combination of formal clothing and beach accessories made everyone stare.

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ADJECTIVE

3. Meaningless or lacking purpose

Having no rational or orderly relationship to human life, lacking meaningful purpose, order, or value.

3.1. Meaningless or senseless existence

Describing situations, experiences, or conditions that appear to have no coherent meaning, purpose, or rational order.

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Examples

  • The novel explores an absurd world in which people struggle to find meaning in an apparently irrational existence.

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ADJECTIVE

4. Related to absurdism

Concerned with the philosophical or artistic idea that human beings seek meaning in a universe that offers no inherent or readily discoverable meaning.

4.1. Philosophical absurdism

Describing philosophical ideas or works that explore the conflict between humanity's search for meaning and the apparent meaninglessness or irrationality of the universe.

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Examples

  • The playwright used absurd theatrical techniques to explore the human search for meaning.

Related Words

  • absurdism
  • existentialism
  • nihilism
  • Camus
  • meaning of life

NOUN

5. An instance or quality of absurdity

An absurd thing, situation, or condition; the state of being unreasonable, ridiculous, or contrary to common sense.

5.1. An absurd situation or occurrence

A particular event, circumstance, or idea that is obviously unreasonable, ridiculous, or contrary to common sense.

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Examples

  • The absurd of the situation became clear when nobody could explain why the rule existed.

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5.2. The philosophical absurd

The condition arising from the conflict between the human desire for meaning and the inability to find inherent meaning in an irrational universe.

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Examples

  • The philosopher examined the absurd as a central condition of human existence.

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  • absurdism
  • existentialism
  • nihilism
  • human condition

ADJECTIVE

6. Dissonant or inharmonious

Lacking harmony or agreement, especially in sound, musical composition, or the relationship between elements.

6.1. Musical or auditory dissonance

Describing sounds or musical combinations that clash or lack harmony.

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Examples

  • The composition used absurd combinations of dissonant sounds to create an unsettling atmosphere.

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