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

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

Over the years, Lopez has evolved his comedy to feature satire about friendships, dating, and the absurdity of daily life. — Rachel Brodsky, Time, 14 July 2026

In the same way that the absurdity of misogyny runs rampant through every facet of our culture and industries, the misogynoir is even more intense. — Chris Willman, Variety, 13 July 2026

Raimi and his collaborators go all out, ramping up the expressionistic filmmaking and embracing a clearer tone of comical absurdity. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 10 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