theater of the absurd

noun phrase

: theater that seeks to represent the absurdity of human existence in a meaningless universe by bizarre or fantastic means

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of theater of the absurd was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near theater of the absurd

theater of operations

theater of the absurd

theater of war

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Theater of the absurd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theater%20of%20the%20absurd. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kith

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games