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 plot includes lots of silliness and absurdity, and SpongeBob’s innocence and optimistic attitude is depicted in a fun, playful manner. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 19 Dec. 2025

But coming from Alexander Karp, the CEO and cofounder of Palantir Technologies, this concern-trolling about a growing censoriousness in ‘the culture’ feels almost intentional in its absurdity. —Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025

The year 2025 has been filled with cultural absurdities. —Angela Yang, NBC news, 14 Dec. 2025

Led by the matriarch known as Boa (Paula Dinamarca), the women take great pride in their appearances and their colorful nicknames, and can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of their situation. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025

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