1
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
the idea that extraterrestrials built the pyramids is preposterous
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
a preposterous suggestion to go swimming in this freezing weather
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3
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter
the movie thriller had such a preposterous plot that we were on the edge of our seats snickering
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preposterous
The statement was greeted by the event moderator and the other laureates as preposterous enough to make the simulation hypothesis seem reasonable by comparison.
—
Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026
Add that to this team’s seemingly endless list of the preposterous.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
The team that lands Björck in the draft is going to net a preposterous value.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The 28-year-old took to the court in Australia in a preposterous outfit, complete with a white hat covering her face, long-flowing pants and an open umbrella draped over her shoulder.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026
Add that to this team’s seemingly endless list of the preposterous.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
The team that lands Björck in the draft is going to net a preposterous value.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The 28-year-old took to the court in Australia in a preposterous outfit, complete with a white hat covering her face, long-flowing pants and an open umbrella draped over her shoulder.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
Adjective
-
Swipe fees and minimums make a tenth-of-a-cent charge absurd.—
Renana Ashkenazi,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Yes, Scheffler enters this week as the betting favorite, but by his absurd standards, his probability has actually dipped.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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When it’s done well, the audience doesn’t realize that’s what’s happening; this story is super-silly and the characters actually just got a little bit closer.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
-
The whole thing was undeniably silly.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The image qua image thereby becomes uncanny, slapstick, a bit ridiculous, a bit horrific—independent of its content.—
Eugenie Brinkema,
ARTnews.com,
14 June 2026
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What was ridiculous was the jump at that point in time was $4 [million], $4 [million] $15 or $16 million.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Weird neighbors and increasingly bizarre diversions plague every attempt Nameless Hero makes to get down the stairs of his building to the man who’s standing outside.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
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And in a bizarre twist, a criminal investigation has been opened after three dogs were found dead at the travel trailer where mauling victim Jodi Cowan was living at the time of the fatal attack.—
Natasha Holt,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
It’s presented without winks or nudges, neither as a joke nor necessarily foolish.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
If the target was foolish enough to reuse passwords, credential thefts like these could enable the compromise of more important accounts.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Consider this pathetic phenomenon yet one more reason the American people — or, at least, Californians — should demand a more rational way to fund political campaigns.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
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After a truly pathetic opening half, the Knicks needed to give each and every row in MSG something to cheer about.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Oceanfront rooms with balconies are coveted for good reason; waking up with a hot cup of coffee, salty sea air, and a view of the Atlantic is an unreal way to start the day.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
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The individual deals have taken on a slightly unreal quality.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The pyrotechnics, however, come from Amanda and Danielle, who get in one of those stupid fights that are only possible after a full day of drinking in a retro vehicle.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
-
Yes, Ken really is this stupid.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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