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

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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

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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 While not quite as absurd or grisly as the events in ‘This Town Will Eat You Alive,’ her personal experiences starting as an assistant and working her way up to executive in the weird and wonderful film industry inspired this horror novel. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 The very idea of a trade war with Canada — our neighbor, our ally, our closest friend, a nation that’s peaceful and whose people have a reputation for kindness — is absurd. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 Atletico denied this was the case and publicly replied to Barca’s interest with a series of social media posts linking them to absurd bids for Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The harsh realities of war are woven into the textures of everyday life, warping and fraying into something absurd. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 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

Playing the part largely for laughs, Moore actually has more in common with Lazenby than Connery; his Bond is softer and sillier than the original, an approach Moore would double down on in later films — often to the chagrin of Bond purists.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
For Lance Oppenheim, Primetime’s DNA resides inside a silly Cameo video.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 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

Video games are one of the world’s most dominant storytelling mediums, yet the writing is often dismissed — not always unfairly — as melodramatic, overly serious and occasionally very stupid.

— Gene Park, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
Bonnell The enthusiast’s approach Bonnell’s team uses matters because electric motorcycles have an annoying tendency to make power delivery either spectacularly good or spectacularly stupid.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

Billboards along Southern California freeways have broadcast the Angels’ desperate attempts to draw in fans via pathetic promotions.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The outfield production continues to be a concern, and the overall offensive production is pathetic.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of pathetic

Adjective

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
Continue reading … DEFYING GRAVITY — MLB outfielder goes full Spider-Man, makes baseball's catch of the year with unreal grab.

— , FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026