absurd

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: the absurdcockeyedderisoryidioticlaughableludicrousnonsensicalpreposterousridiculous

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless“The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth — Albert Camus”Synonyms: the absurd

Adjective (2)

  1. inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense“the absurd predicament of seeming to argue that virtue is highly desirable but intensely unpleasant — Walter Lippman”
  2. 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”Synonyms: cockeyedderisoryidioticlaughableludicrousnonsensicalpreposterousridiculous
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Absurd \Ab*surd"\ ([a^]b*s[^u]rd"), a. [L. absurdus harsh-sounding; ab + (prob) a derivative fr. a root svar to sound; not connected with surd: cf. F. absurde. See Syringe.] Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; as, an absurd person, an absurd opinion; an absurd dream. [1913 Webster]

This proffer is absurd and reasonless. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

'This phrase absurd to call a villain great. --Pope. --p. 9 [1913 Webster]

Syn: Foolish; irrational; ridiculous; preposterous; inconsistent; incongruous.

Usage: Absurd, Irrational, Foolish, Preposterous. Of these terms, irrational is the weakest, denoting that which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason; as, an irrational course of life. Foolish rises higher, and implies either a perversion of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of mind; as, foolish enterprises. Absurd rises still higher, denoting that which is plainly opposed to received notions of propriety and truth; as, an absurd man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc. Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an absolute inversion in the order of things; or, in plain terms, a "putting of the cart before the horse;" as, a preposterous suggestion, preposterous conduct, a preposterous regulation or law. [1913 Webster]

Absurd \Ab*surd"\ ([a^]b*s[^u]rd"), n. An absurdity. [Obs.] --Pope. [1913 Webster]
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