the absurd

noun

1
: a state or condition of extreme silliness or foolishness : an absurd or ridiculous state
Her ideas once seemed reasonable, but now they verge on the absurd.
2
: things that are absurd
a filmmaker who is fascinated with the absurd

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Many of its channels reverberate with the absurd, irreverent and ironic meta-humor now popular among 20-somethings and teens online. Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2023 Again, though, the video takes this scenario to the absurd. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Dec. 2017 Movies ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ explained: Hot dog hands, empathy challenges and meaning in the absurd April 14, 2022 Before meeting Kenny, Irene had no aspirations to move to the United States. Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2023 When an accidental death pulls Mira even further under his sway, Lemoine pushes the plot even further into the absurd. Hillary Kelly, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2023 Meanwhile, the void of explanation is filled with speculation ranging from the cynical to the absurd, the likely to the very unlikely. Dan Zak, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the absurd.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near the absurd

Cite this Entry

“The absurd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20absurd. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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