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

Engagement Party the newsletter is an extension and expansion of their conversations, with new takes about how internet absurdity shapes our offline lives. — Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

All sorts of factors—religious fervor, drug trips, the absurdities of aging—an unmoor a person’s mind and spirit. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Still, the gleeful absurdity of that concept came with its own humanity. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

In Eddington, Aster examines the absurdity of our present moment, further obfuscated by its mediation through screens. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 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