absurdity

noun

ab·​sur·​di·​ty əb-ˈsər-də-tē  -ˈzər- 

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

Synonyms of absurdity

• insanity
• idiocy

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

Firstman excels at highlighting the absurdity of celebrity and the pretension of coastal media types. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

To expose the assumptions, prejudices and absurdities of those interacting with them in the real world — whether on the right or left, in a position of tremendous power or someone off the street. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026

Even amid so many absurdities, one of the strangest things that happens this week is Rainbeau suddenly developing an English accent. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026

For all the absurdity, though, the award carries considerable weight — even if the timing is bittersweet. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026

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