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

Outside of moments like this, however, such playful absurdity is often absent. —Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026

This is not Margot Robbie eating a giant strawberry in Wuthering Heights, a choice that aims for delightful absurdity but ultimately feels mannered. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026

The movie underscores the absurdity of attempting to hew to outdated philosophies in a selfish, modern culture. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026

Even the writers at Saturday Night Live couldn’t help but notice the absurdity. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 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