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

Church went to the Holy Land in search of sublimity; Twain fastened on the absurdities of those determined to find it. —Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

The ever increasing absurdity turned a familiar mind game between exes into a shrewd illustration of heartbreak’s capacity to create wild distortions of reality. —Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026

There’s humor, emotion, drama, danger, absurdity and more. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026

The comedian’s monologue took the approach of pointing out the litany of absurdities related to the WHCD, including before, during and after the event. —Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 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