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

• 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

To illustrate the absurdity of adhering too closely to genre conventions, Galloway describes a plot about an innocent girl who winds up in a strange town. —Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2025

Drama, laughs, and a healthy dose of absurdity ensue. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025

As the violence increases, so does the absurdity of it all. —Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Expect classic Police Squad shenanigans, a plethora of puns, sight gags galore, and an abundance of absurdity. —Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 1 Aug. 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