absurdity

noun

ab·​sur·​di·​ty əb-ˈsər-də-tē How to pronounce absurdity (audio) -ˈzər- How to pronounce absurdity (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Protesters have slammed the notions and multiple attendees wore inflatable frog and animal costumes to point to the absurdity of the claims of danger. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 18 Oct. 2025 These acts of radical playfulness—the inflatable dance parties, the music, the absurdity—have become part of the city’s moral vocabulary. MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Blending youthful energy with biting humor, Yemima and producer-writer Bela Nabila use comedy to expose the absurdity of power structures through children’s eyes. Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025 Did the crisis highlight the Kafkaesque absurdity of Cold War politics by sparking an international circle-jerk between various representatives from South Korea, North Korea, Japan, America, and the Soviet Union? David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for absurdity

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of absurdity was circa 1525

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Cite this Entry

“Absurdity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absurdity. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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