nonsense

non·sense | \ ˌnän-ˌsen(t)s

, ˈnän(t)-sən(t)s \

Definition of nonsense

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : words or language having no meaning or conveying no intelligible ideas "And the mome raths outgrabe" is pure nonsense.

b(1) : language, conduct, or an idea that is absurd or contrary to good sense To regard the struggle for existence as tragic, however, is logical nonsense.— O. B. Hardison Jr.

(2) : an instance of absurd action Today's teenagers are … sharp observers of the nonsenses of adult life and society …— Bernard Trafford

2a : things of no importance or value : trifles the raincoats are classic, without any nonsense — New Yorker

b : affected or impudent conduct took no nonsense from subordinates The teacher tolerated no nonsense in her classroom.

3 : genetic information consisting of one or more codons that do not code for any amino acid and usually cause termination of the molecular chain in protein synthesis (see synthesis sense 1)

nonsense

adjective

Definition of nonsense (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : consisting of an arbitrary grouping of speech sounds or symbols \ˈshrȯg-ˌthī-əmpth\ is a nonsense word a nonsense syllable

2 : consisting of one or more codons that are genetic nonsense — compare antisense, missense

Other Words from nonsense Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about nonsense

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Examples of nonsense in a Sentence

Noun I don't know why you believe that nonsense about certain numbers being unlucky. She thinks that astrology is nonsense. Don't listen to him. He's talking nonsense. He was not in the mood to put up with any nonsense from his little brother. If they start pushing each other or some such nonsense, send them to their rooms. She doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. Many of the words in the poem are nonsense. I understood so few of the words they were using that the conversation sounded like nonsense to me.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Mitch is a no nonsense coach that ends up joining Serena's team. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Meet the Cast of "Spinning Out" and Their Characters," 6 Jan. 2020 The notion that Trump was trying to redefine Judaism is just nonsense. — Jonathan S. Tobin, National Review, "Trump’s Effort to Fight Campus Anti-Semitism Is No War on Free Speech," 13 Dec. 2019 The idea of matching your tie with your pocket square and suspenders is absolute nonsense. — Leena Kim, Town & Country, "Succession's Costume Designer Explains How to Look Really, Really Rich," 14 Oct. 2019 Al is referring to Jillian's stint on The Biggest Loser, a weight-loss show where Jillian was known for her no nonsense approach to losing weight. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Jillian Michaels' Keto Diet Comments Caused Al Roker to Snap on Twitter," 11 Jan. 2019 VanDerveer’s players seem to appreciate that rough practices and the no-nonsense coaching get some amazing results — not just the wins, but the athletic and character development that underpins the banners and titles and glory. — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "Memorable moments: Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer notches career win No. 1,000," 24 Dec. 2019 Taking a no-nonsense approach with Dion Waiters and James Johnson. -- Mike, Southwest Ranches. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Were Heat on a roll even before getting on a roll?," 15 Nov. 2019 In glorious, no-nonsense form, the Mail claim that West Ham are keeping tabs on Norway and Rosenborg left-back Birger Meling ahead of a 'potential' move. — SI.com, "Transfer Rumours: Man Utd Seek McNeil Return, Genk Star on Klopp's Radar, Mount Talks Barça & More," 6 Nov. 2019 To round out the crew there's Q9-0, also known as Zero, a no-nonsense droid bounty hunter that operates with precise mechanical efficiency. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "The Mandalorian: An Old-Fashioned Prison Break...In Space," 13 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective So any attempt by anyone to claim that this is not a victory for Stormy Daniels is completely bogus and nonsense and dishonest. — Brian Melley, The Seattle Times, "Porn star’s hush money suit against Trump could be tossed," 22 Jan. 2019 The group quickly changed its name to a string of nonsense characters, 'asdgrfhtyjujtrgefgrefgrtyuafw,' to mask its origins. — Dan Patterson, CBS News, "8chan users are moving to Discord, where your kids are playing video games," 26 Aug. 2019 Vox Jia Tolentino makes sense out of this nonsense moment Elle What happens when Lyme Disease becomes an identity? — Fortune, "The Disturbing World of Deepfakes: The Broadsheet," 25 July 2019 Stapleton’s no-nonsense half hour set the tone for the rest of the night, as a house band settled in to back solo slots from Taylor, Henley and Walsh without breaks. — Michael Rietmulder, The Seattle Times, "Review: Joe Walsh’s VetsAid was a familial star-powered party at Tacoma Dome, raising $1.2 million," 12 Nov. 2018 Nac Un Ēd Ganību dambis 30 For traditional, no-nonsense Latvian fare, video and installation artist Katrīna Neiburga suggests Nac Un Ēd. — Laura Bannister, Vogue, "Where to Go in Riga, Latvia, the New Arts Hub of the Baltic," 17 June 2018 Union stars as Shaun, a no-nonsense family woman cleaning up the mess her father left behind after his sudden death. — Barbara Vandenburgh, azcentral, "Gabrielle Union kicks serious butt in violent ‘Breaking In’," 11 May 2018 Other symptoms include incoherent or nonsense speech, and behavior that is inappropriate for the situation. — Marc Siegel, National Review, "President Trump and the Dangers of Armchair Psychiatry," 11 Jan. 2018 The girls around me were singing along, just nonsense sounds, warming up their voices. — Edan Lepucki, Slate Magazine, "“Chorus”," 1 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonsense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

19 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Nonsense.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonsensical. Accessed 25 January 2020.

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More Definitions for nonsense

nonsense

noun

English Language Learners Definition of nonsense

: words or ideas that are foolish or untrue

: behavior that is silly, annoying, or unkind

: language that has no meaning

See the full definition for nonsense in the English Language Learners Dictionary

nonsense

noun

non·sense | \ ˈnän-ˌsens

, -səns \

Kids Definition of nonsense

: foolish or meaningless words, ideas, or actions Don't believe such nonsense.

nonsense

noun

non·sense | \ ˈnän-ˌsen(t)s, ˈnän(t)-sən(t)s

Medical Definition of nonsense

(Entry 1 of 2)

: genetic information consisting of one or more codons that do not code for any amino acid and usually cause termination of the molecular chain in protein synthesis — compare antisense, missense

nonsense

adjective

Medical Definition of nonsense (Entry 2 of 2)

: consisting of one or more codons that are genetic nonsense nonsense mutations

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