absurd

adjective

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ab·surd | \ əb-ˈsərd

, -ˈzərd

Definition of absurd

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous an absurd argument : extremely silly or ridiculous absurd humor

2 : having no rational or orderly relationship to human life : meaningless an absurd universe also : lacking order or value an absurd existence

3 : dealing with the absurd (see absurd entry 2) or with absurdism absurd theater

absurd

noun

Definition of absurd (Entry 2 of 2)

: the state or condition in which human beings exist in an irrational and meaningless universe and in which human life has no ultimate meaning —usually used with thethe theater of the absurd

Other Words from absurd Synonyms & Antonyms Making Sense of Absurd More Example Sentences Learn More about absurd

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Making Sense of Absurd

Absurd contains the rarer related adjective surd, which, like absurd, derives from the Latin surdus ("deaf, silent, stupid").

Surd can mean "lacking sense or irrational," much like absurd:

While the grandparents might scratch their heads at the Star Wars references, the actors and perhaps some younger parents likely delighted in manic, jumbled and surd structure of the play.
–Patrick Clement, Kiowa County Signal (Greensburg, Kansas), 23 Jan. 2013

Absurd, however, stresses a lack of logical sense or harmonious agreement, of parts (such as a premise and a conclusion) not fitting together. In philosophy, it describes the problem of trying to distill meaning from one's experiences. In A Discourse on Novelty and Creation (1975), Carl R. Hausman writes, "There is an incongruity, an inconsistency, a conflict with a context that appears as lawful, orderly experience. As [Albert] Camus points out, absurdity 'springs from a comparison,' a comparison between two aspects of reality which seem to be out of harmony."

Examples of absurd in a Sentence

Adjective In an era when federal judges issue rulings that in their impact often rival the lawmaking of any legislature in the land, it is increasingly absurd that their proceedings should remain off-limits to the same wider public scrutiny that news cameras have brought to courts in 48 states. — Editor & Publisher, 14 July 2003 By the time Showalter was fired one day after the end of last season, the stories of how he carried his attention to detail to absurd lengths—including his insistence that the A on the players' socks be completely visible—had been well circulated. — Phil Taylor, Sports Illustrated, 30 July 2001 This criticism, patently absurd to anyone who has read even a handful of Updike's more than 40 books, nevertheless has been made so often that it is worth Pritchard's long rebuttal. — Jonathan Wilson, New York Times Book Review, 24 Sept. 2000 Yet from time to time, virtually every parent falls back on threats, often absurd ones that leave Mom and Dad feeling foolish and the problem unresolved. — Dorothy Foltz-Gray, Parenting, December/January 1996 The charges against him are obviously absurd. absurd claims of having been abducted by UFO's

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Americans squared off in the most absurd of debates: To wear a mask, or not to wear a mask. — Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Rays of hope shine at end of dark year," 27 Dec. 2020 This touches on the unworkable idea of a black James Bond — the most absurd of all recent progressive cultural wishes. — Armond White, National Review, "Christopher Nolan Pursues Hollywood’s New Tenets," 23 Dec. 2020 The best of times, the worst of times, the most absurd of times. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, "These comedians made their names poking fun at Trump. The election may change that," 30 Oct. 2020 The acrimony entered the realm of the absurd when Davis sat for two weeks before the trade deadline—and then the Pelicans decided not to trade him. — Ben Cohen, WSJ, "James Harden’s Stepback From the Rockets," 9 Dec. 2020 Of course, we baby-boomers had been primed by TV for such matter-of-fact presentations of the irrelevantly absurd. — David Beers, The New Republic, "Selling the American Space Dream," 7 Dec. 2020 This tweet, which is still absurd, is the closest Trump has come to a concession in the presidential election. — Erin Corbett, refinery29.com, "So, Is This Tweet Trump’s Concession?," 11 Dec. 2020 There’s nothing funny about the situation, of course, but everything is absurd. — Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: UConn’s COVID crisis response highlights great complication of running programs and planning for a college basketball season," 9 Dec. 2020 The outcry during and after the game from some that the redshirt-sophomore was lacking confidence, frazzled, overwhelmed or any number of other meritless criticisms was absurd. — James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, "12 takeaways from Oregon Ducks’ loss at Cal," 7 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'absurd.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

17 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Absurd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absurd. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for absurd

absurd

adjective

ab·surd | \ əb-ˈsərd

, -ˈzərd \

Kids Definition of absurd

: completely foolish, unreasonable, or untrue : ridiculous His claims are absurd.

Choose the Right Synonym for absurd

absurd, foolish, and silly mean not showing good sense. absurd is used when something is not in keeping with common sense, good reasoning, or accepted ideas. The notion that horses can talk is absurd. foolish is used when something is not thought of by others as wise or sensible. You would be foolish to invest your money in that. silly is used when something makes no sense and has no purpose. They had a silly argument over who ate the most.