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

Brooks also taught Wilder how to take something funny, push it all the way to the point of absurdity, then keep going. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

The second lady is perhaps the most interesting figure in Trumpworld right now, and certainly the only one who understands the absurdity of it all. — Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 25 June 2026

Betti — An actor, writer, and producer who creates and stars in visually bold, absurdist scripts examining the absurdity of womanhood from a trans perspective. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 June 2026

Arnett remained focused on the absurdity of the question itself. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 23 June 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