absurdism

noun ab·surd·ism \ əb-ˈsər-ˌdi-zəm , -ˈzər- \

|Updated on: 28 Jul 2018

Definition of absurdism

: a philosophy based on the belief that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that the search for order brings the individual into conflict with the universe — compare existentialism

Recent Examples of absurdism from the Web

There are hints of David Lynch's macabre absurdism here, but also some agreeably carnivalesque interludes reminiscent of Federico Fellini, Emir Kusturica and even Wes Anderson.

— stephen dalton, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Volcano': Film Review | Karlovy Vary 2018," 13 July 2018
Since its formation in Idaho in 1993, Built To Spill has embraced the most robust elements of classic rock while incorporating the slacker sensibility, righteous absurdism and healthy snark of indie-rock to create an innovative new sound.

— bill brownlee, kansascity, "Break out your flannel: Built to Spill will thrill at Middle of the Map Fest," 28 June 2018
Of course, American Innovations does more than simply swapping the genders—in rewriting the stories, Galchen never parts with her keen sense of absurdism, and tinkers with convention in these dense psychological riffs on English Lit classics.

— adrienne westenfeld, Town & Country, "How Do Classic Stories Differ With a Female Point of View?," 16 May 2014
His early work was just bizarre and full of non-sequiturs and absurdism.

— john wenzel, The Know, "David Letterman gets his due in “The Last Giant of Late Night”," 5 Apr. 2017
At times, Hruska and the director, Rick Lombardo, seem to reach for Beckettian absurdism, but, no, that’s just bumbling storytelling.

— The New Yorker, "Ring Twice for Miranda," 31 Mar. 2017
The influential 1986 series Takeshi’s Castle hit upon a mix of absurdism and cruelty that became a template for most modern TV games.

— joel warner, WIRED, "Japanese Comedy: So Funny, It Hurts," 19 Nov. 2012

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