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

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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 The more absurd the stories, the less competition trying to exploit those same search results. — Will Cady, SPIN, 30 July 2026 Open the requisition on a Monday and the number is already absurd. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Their air of slightly absurd quasi-spontaneity is nicely amplified by the jittery yet unobtrusive rhythms of the direction and Yost’s editing. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 July 2026 The German tuner, known for turning luxe cars from Lamborghini to Bentley into absurd, beastly powerhouses, has teamed up with the folks at Sunreef on a new 55-foot cat. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for absurd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for absurd

Adjective

Years earlier at her former lab in Ohio, chromosomes in mouse eggs and embryos began dividing in bizarre ways, creating the kinds of genetic errors that can lead to Down syndrome and other chromosomal disorders.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Her videos were outrageous and conspiratorial, and the more elaborate and bizarre her stories became, the more people online were drawn to her.

— Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Every season of Strange New Worlds has featured at least one episode that emphasizes Star Trek’s silly side (and this may not be the last such outing in season four).

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
The silly yellow fruit that became a part of their culture was freighted, from the start, with suggestive meaning.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

In fact, a Texas jury once found that an alligator mascot infringed the beaver, so nobody should assume a judge shares their sense of the ridiculous.

— Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Throughout the evacuation, Olya fixates on the fact that men aged 18 to 60 are barred from leaving, all the while wearing a ridiculous big fluffy hat that seems to protect her more from the societal meltdown around her than from the cold.

— Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of ridiculous

Adjective

Drawing definitive conclusions from pre-season is foolish — but Lacey has shown his close control, pace, and scored an excellent goal in the previous friendly against Rosenborg.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Johnson continued this week to push for his foolish and counterproductive desire to impose a $33-per-month tax on each Chicago job generated by the city’s largest private-sector employers.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

The case that American leadership in this technology carries a genuine security dimension has never looked stupid to me.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The women are in stupid costumes (Heather Gay is dressed as a leprechaun at one point) and yelling at one another for yet-unknown reasons.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

North Texas Howard WKU Northwestern Rutgers Nebraska That's a pathetic first six weeks.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Despite the Warriors operating with a pathetic sense of self-mortification — bending over backward for the mere possibility the King might grace them with his presence — the power of friendship wasn’t enough to lure James to the Bay.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

Definition of pathetic

Adjective

And while lots of eras and trades are different and dependent on the market at the time, Shaq going for just one first-round pick, even at 31, still seems unreal.

— Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
When the maple leaves turn red and temples or mountain areas are illuminated at night, the landscape feels almost unreal.

— Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of unreal

Adjective

However, Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was fined and suspended for five games after last Tuesday’s contest, when two girls sitting courtside in support of Cunnigham said Keaton cursed at them and called them insane.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Continue reading … VIRUS RECKONING — COVID fury explodes as Fauci hearing revives 'insane' lockdown nightmare tales.

— , FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026