ABSURD Synonyms: 198 Similar and Opposite Words

absurd

adjective

əb-ˈsərd

Definition of absurd

as in bizarre

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality absurd claims of having been abducted by UFO's

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in silly

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment an absurd rule that bicycles are not allowed in the park

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter it's absurd to expect to make a killing in the stock market overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of absurd What makes the opposition to Emanuel absurd is this land is not for sale — and never has been. — Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026 The annual awards, which recognize the most absurd research science can offer, were handed out at a ceremony in Zurich on Thursday. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026 Inflation has reached absurd heights, the Lebanese pound is all but worthless, and the government shuts off the electricity for more than half of each day. — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026 Never mind, for now, that the game reflected such an absurd physical and fiscal mismatch that the game made a scant statement beyond the fact Mizzou certainly was ready to play. — Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absurd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for absurd

Adjective

The bizarre explanation brought an end to an episode that generated widespread attention online after Pierre initially accused the courier of stealing the order.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
An exhausting, head-spinning and often downright silly offseason is officially over after college football really kicked off on Thursday (after the always bizarre Week 0 last weekend).

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

That was a valuable lesson as the previous season, silly errors and lapses in concentration led to the side conceding goals that hamstrung their title ambitions.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Seen as silly, shrunken, and impractical, it’s considered the full-sugar Coca-Cola of jackets—all empty calories, no nutritional value.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

The student also claimed to have only brought the knife to school to play a game with his friends with the goal being to see who could sneak the most ridiculous item on campus.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
What are the odds that the same team could both win and lose thoroughly ridiculous 10-9 games in the same week?

— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of ridiculous

Adjective

Among the performers, Smith rules the roost as the no-nonsense Angela, and Jones acquits himself tolerably on comic relief duties as the pathetic Mike.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Villarreal Villarreal’s performance in this competition last season was, frankly, pathetic.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of pathetic

Adjective

On the other hand, the fact that Warren is so annoying reminds us that unreal people can elicit genuine repulsion.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Similarly, for the protagonist of Conrad’s story, Captain Whalley, the true life is the life of ships, and changes of fates onshore seem only laterally relevant, near unreal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026