absurdity

noun

ab·​sur·​di·​ty əb-ˈsər-də-tē How to pronounce absurdity (audio) -ˈzər- How to pronounce absurdity (audio)
plural absurdities
1
: the quality or state of being absurd : absurdness
They laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
2
: something that is absurd
the absurdities of life

Examples of absurdity in a Sentence

to say men can't cook as well as women is of course an absurdity the absurdity of expecting a 98-year-old woman to adequately supervise four six-year-olds
Recent Examples on the Web On the other hand, in Thomas Nagel’s view, there’s nothing truly wrong with a sense of life’s absurdity. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2024 Where to watch Episode 5 'Dedication Night' Ice Cube in Phoenix: How to go old-school at Footprint Center concert Charli XCX concert review: Sweat Tour with Troye Sivan gets steamy in Phoenix 'Rumours' doesn't let up on the absurdity There is no staff. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 15 Oct. 2024 This surreal journey through a drunken night of uncanny encounters is a classic of Nigerian literature, fearlessly stacking absurdity atop absurdity. The Week Us, theweek, 15 Oct. 2024 But aside from this scene and a nice moment between Daryl and Isabelle, the rest of the episode was just littered with absurdities. Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for absurdity 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absurdity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English absurditee "dissonance, unjust practice," borrowed from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French absurdité, borrowed from Late Latin absurditāt-, absurditās, from Latin absurdus absurd entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of absurdity was circa 1525

Dictionary Entries Near absurdity

Cite this Entry

“Absurdity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absurdity. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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