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

The luckiest among us endure these quotidian absurdities indirectly, via news stories and social media feeds, their consequences delayed until sometime in the future. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026

Undermain Theatre’s production, directed by Stefan Novinski, leans into the 1942 Pulitzer-winning play’s absurdity and its theme of repetitive human folly, starting with Donna Marquet’s busy set design. —Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026

Inspired by musical festival culture, his design practice is rooted in the expression of haute couture craftsmanship by constructing rich visual narratives and deconstructed techniques with surreal and absurdity coexisting. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026

There's plenty to condemn, a bit to commend, and a whole lot of absurdity represented. —Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 17 Feb. 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