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 Diesel version of the joke leaned into the absurdity of casting the action star of the Fast and Furious franchise in a family comedy. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026

No matter how firmly the film tries to grab hold of you and offer something profound amidst the absurdity of the situation, any such meaning eventually slips through the dwindling number of fingers that the film, as well as its characters, have left. —Chase Hutchinson, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026

The trial lasted several months, with the prosecution maintaining this charge despite the utter absurdity of the accusation and the evidence. —Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026

Metaphors, absurdities and seriousness intermingle in this production from New Forms LA and directed by Marissa Pattullo. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 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