Search Result for "preposterous": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (1)

1. incongruous;inviting ridicule;
- Example: "the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework"
- Example: "that's a cockeyed idea"
- Example: "ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer"
- Example: "a contribution so small as to be laughable"
- Example: "it is ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion"
- Example: "a preposterous attempt to turn back the pages of history"
- Example: "her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous"
[syn: absurd, cockeyed, derisory, idiotic, laughable, ludicrous, nonsensical, preposterous, ridiculous]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Preposterous \Pre*pos"ter*ous\, a. [L. praeposterus; prae before
   + posterus coming after, latter. See Posterior.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Having that first which ought to be last; inverted in
      order. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The method I take may be censured as preposterous,
            because I thus treat last of the antediluvian earth,
            which was first in the order of nature. --Woodward.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Contrary to nature or reason; not adapted to the end;
      utterly and glaringly foolish; unreasonably absurd;
      perverted. "Most preposterous conclusions." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            Preposterous ass, that never read so far! --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Absurd; perverted; wrong; irrational; foolish;
        monstrous. See Absurd.
        [1913 Webster] -- Pre*pos"ter*ous*ly, adv.
        -Pre*pos"ter*ous*ness, n.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

preposterous
    adj 1: incongruous;inviting ridicule; "the absurd excuse that
           the dog ate his homework"; "that's a cockeyed idea"; "ask
           a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer"; "a
           contribution so small as to be laughable"; "it is
           ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion"; "a preposterous
           attempt to turn back the pages of history"; "her
           conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather
           dull children was ridiculous" [syn: absurd, cockeyed,
           derisory, idiotic, laughable, ludicrous,
           nonsensical, preposterous, ridiculous]