SINCE 1828
absurdism
noun
ab·surd·ism
| \ əb-ˈsər-ˌdi-zəm
, -ˈzər-
\
, -ˈzər-
\
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
Examples of absurdism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While Mike Nichols’ 1970 movie starring Alan Arkin tackled a lot of the absurdism of the original novel, this adaptation seems darker and more visceral about the realities of war that plagued main character Yossarian (played here by Abbott). — Marie Claire, "8 TV Shows Dropping This Summer You Won't Want to Miss," 11 Mar. 2019 Sorry to Bother You’s absurdism and energy translates into blocky, bright pink type. — Eliza Brooke, Vox, "Sorry to Bother You," 12 Nov. 2018 Some jarring comic absurdism is added through the unusually obtrusive presence of Aunt March’s parrot. — New York Times, "Review: ‘Little Women,’ Through British Eyes," 11 May 2018 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. 2017These 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on absurdism
What made you want to look up absurdism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Original Meanings Quiz
-
- Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share absurdism
Resources for absurdism